internet

Noun

internet (countable and uncountable, plural internets)

1. (uncountable) Internet access or connection; internet connectivity.
   • Do you have internet at your place? My internet is down and I want to check my email.
2. (countable) Any set of computer networks that communicate using the Internet Protocol; an intranet.
3. (Internet, humorous) A fictitious unit of scoring awarded for making outstanding posts on the internet.
   • You did a nice job there Patty … you came off as intelligent, well-spoken, and concerned about the well being of the victims, in stark contrast to the self-serving, uncaring, unconcerned attitude of the Narconon spokeswoman. 100 internets for you!2008 April 5, “Anonology”, “Narconon Exposed tonight on Canadian TV”, in alt.religion.scientology (Usenet)
   • I have been looking through CupOJoes and kind of want something dark with a silver band between the bit and the bowl [of the pipe]. That's not a must, but 1000 internets go to the first person to find one.2010 August 7, “Bilbo”, “Looking for a Billiard”, in alt.smokers.pipes (Usenet)
4. (Internet, humorous) The knowledge or ability to read the room, especially to avoid being politically incorrect, chiefly to make light of someone's lack of such knowledge, implied to be gained only from active use of social media.
   • "He don't got Internet y'all," one fan wrote. Another declared: "That’s it, I will no longer be listening to any YB music."2025 July 25, Cole Blake, “NBA YoungBoy Shocks Fans By Defending Donald Trump On New Song, "XXX"”, in HotNewHipHop, archived from the original on 30 Jul 2025

Verb (2)

UK/ˈɪntəˌnɛt/US/ˈɪntɚˌnɛt/

internet (third-person singular simple present internets, present participle internetting, simple past and past participle internetted)

1. (ambitransitive, archaic, rare) To entwine or link (several things) together, so as to form a network; to interconnect, to network.
   • A railroad performs in a single day as much work as a ship in a whole year. This is done, too, in the midst of society, internetted among the cities, the farms, the dwellings of the people.1856 March, John O’Fallon et al., “Article IV. Report on the ‘Overland Mail’ from Missouri to California.”, in M. Tarver, H. Cobb, editors, The Western Journal and Civilian, Devoted to Agriculture...
   • With 1849 began the organization of the secret societies, which, regulated from Piedmont, internetted the entire southern peninsula.1862 September, “The Two Sicilies in 1862. [First Notice.]”, in [Charles Patrick Meehan], editor, Duffy’s Hibernian Sixpenny Magazine, volume II (New Series), number 9, Dublin; London: James Duffy...

   Synonyms:

   interweave

2. (ambitransitive, specifically) To connect (a computer, an electronic device, etc.) into a computer network (in particular, the Internet).
   • We are continuing our program of internetting our radar system with that of the Federal Aviation Agency.1966 February 14, Robert S[trange] McNamara (witness), “Statement of the Secretary of Defense”, in Department of Defense Appropriations for 1967: Hearings before a Subcommittee of the Committee on...
   • More efficient means of internetting the computers in the system must also be developed.1975 March 7, Malcolm R[oderick] Currie (witness), “Statement of Dr. Malcolm R. Currie, Director, Defense Research and Engineering, Accompanied by Laurin A. Knutson, Assistant Director (Programing)...

Verb (1)

internet (third-person singular simple present internets, present participle internetting, simple past and past participle internetted)

1. (Internet, informal, intransitive) To use the internet; specifically, to search for information by using the internet.
   • Having no idea what that means, I am internetting like mad.
   • We have several groups of Internetters, from Alaska, from New Zealand, and a group from San Francisco interested in deserts as a context where different faiths developed. Internetting with them could stimulate discussion. Internetting with other countries is seen as a way of broadening the...2002, Soshana Keiny, “The Conceptual Framework of the Book”, in Ecological Thinking: A New Approach to Educational Change, Lanham, Md.; New York, N.Y.: University Press of America, →ISBN, page 14

Proper noun capitalized: Internet

the Internet

1. The global, decentralized network of computers which communicate with one another using the Internet protocol suite, which now forms a vital part of global communication, content sharing, and information exchange systems.
   • [I]f you think the Internet existed in 1970, I can only guess that the education system has left at least one child behind.2008, Lou Schuler, "Foreword", in Nate Green, Built for Show, page xi
2. (broadly, informal) The global community of individuals communicating via the Internet.
   • We know how much the Internet has changed America. And we are already an open society. Imagine how much it could change China. Now, there is no question – China has been trying to crack down on the Internet. Good luck. That's sort of like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall.2000 March 8, 32:26 from the start, in Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China, spoken by Bill Clinton, via C-SPAN, retrieved 17 Jun 2025
   • Not to be confused with the Josh Hutcherson Saturday Night Live sketch that's almost impossible to find online, the tragedy of Peanut, an Instagram-famous squirrel that was euthanized late last month, has sent the internet into mourning.2024 November 4, Kate Lindsay, “Can We Please Not Politicize Peanut's Death?”, in Vulture, archived from the original on 24 Nov 2024