web

1 of 2

noun

ˈweb 

1

: a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom

2

a

: cobweb, spiderweb

b

: a network of silken thread spun especially by the larvae of various insects (such as a tent caterpillar) and usually serving as a nest or shelter

3

: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant

especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)

4

a

: a thin metal sheet, plate, or strip

b

: the plate connecting the upper and lower flanges of a girder or rail

c

: the arm of a crank

5

: something resembling a web:

a

: snare, entanglement

a web of intrigue

ensnarled in a web of folly

—D. A. Stockman

b

: an intricate pattern or structure suggestive of something woven : network

6

: the series of barbs on each side of the shaft of a feather : vane

7

a

: a continuous sheet of paper manufactured or undergoing manufacture on a paper machine

b

: a roll of paper for use in a rotary printing press

8

: the part of a ribbed vault between the ribs

9

or Web : world wide web

webbed

ˈwebd 

adjective

weblike

ˈweb-ˌlīk 

adjective

web

2 of 2

verb

webbed; webbing

intransitive verb

: to construct or form a web

transitive verb

1

: to cover with a web or network

2

: ensnare, entangle

3

: to provide with a web

Synonyms

Noun

• entanglement
• mesh(es)
• morass
• net
• noose
• quagmire
• quicksand
• snare
• tanglement
• toil(s)
• trap

Examples of web in a Sentence

Noun

I spent the afternoon surfing the Web.

The spider was spinning its web.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Such is the case with this new secure connection warning for Android users of Google’s Chrome web browser. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man arrested and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on Dec. 4, had a significant online footprint before most web platforms suspended his accounts. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

Five peaks boast more than 180 trails webbed across nearly 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, ranging from high-alpine bowls to beginner-friendly tree runs. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 10 Dec. 2024

The straps are fully adjustable, the pockets are well-considered, and there’s everything from webbing to a padded hip belt. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse vefr web, Old English wefan to weave

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing web

• dark web
• deep web
• food web
• orb web
• spider's web
• web belt
• web crawler
• web member
• web-offset
• web page
• web press
• web site
• web spinner

Kids Definition

web

1 of 2 noun

ˈweb 

1

: a fabric on a loom or in the process of being removed from a loom

2

a

: cobweb sense 1b, spiderweb

b

: a network of threads spun especially by the larvae of various insects (as tent caterpillars) and usually serving as a nest or shelter

c

: something that catches and holds one

spies caught in a web of plots

3

: a membrane of an animal or plant

especially : one uniting toes (as of many waterbirds)

4

: network sense 2

5

capitalized : world wide web

web

2 of 2 verb

webbed; webbing

1

: to make or form a web

2

: to cover or provide with webs or a web

Medical Definition

web

noun

ˈweb 

: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant

especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)

webbed

ˈwebd 

adjective