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web

/wɛb/

/wɛb/

IPA guide

Other forms: webs; webbed; webbing

A web is a sticky pattern of threads woven by a spider, or something similar that appears to be woven together. Your little sister might weave a web of yarn into a potholder.

Some webs are literally woven — of thread, yarn, ropes, or any other strands of material. Other webs are more figurative, like the web of connections between people who work in the same field or the web of rules and regulations attached to filing your income tax return. There's also the World Wide Web, known as the Internet or just "the Web," named this way because it's a web-like series of interconnected documents and links.

Definitions of web
  1. noun
    an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
    “the trees cast a delicate web of shadows over the lawn”
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    types:
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    spider web, spider's web
    a web spun by spiders to trap insect prey
    tent
    a web that resembles a tent or carpet
    webbing
    something forming a web (as between the toes of birds)
    cobweb
    a dense elaborate spider web that is more efficient than the orb web
    funnel web
    a funnel-shaped spider web; the funnel-web spider perches in the center of the web
    orb web
    a circular spider web
    sheet web
    an irregular spider web woven in a single plane and looking like flattened hammocks
    type of:
    object, physical object
    a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
  2. noun
    the flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft
    synonyms: vane
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    type of:
    blade
    a broad flat body part (as of the shoulder or tongue)
  3. noun
    a fabric (especially a fabric in the process of being woven)
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    type of:
    cloth, fabric, material, textile
    artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
  4. noun
    an interconnected system of things or people
    “tangled in a web of cloth”
    synonyms: network
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    reticulum
    any fine network (especially one in the body composed of cells or blood vessels)
    espionage network
    a network of spies
    old boy network
    an exclusive informal network linking members of a social class or profession or organization in order to provide connections and information and favors (especially in business or politics)
    support system
    a network of facilities and people who interact and remain in informal communication for mutual assistance; a network that enables you to live in a certain style
    neural net, neural network
    any network of neurons or nuclei that function together to perform some function in the body
    type of:
    scheme, system
    a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole
  5. noun
    an intricate trap that entangles or ensnares its victim
    synonyms: entanglement
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    types:
    spider web, spider's web
    a web resembling the webs spun by spiders
    type of:
    trap
    a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
  6. noun
    computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol
    synonyms: WWW, World Wide Web
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    type of:
    computer network
    (computer science) a network of computers
  7. noun
    membrane connecting the toes of some aquatic birds and mammals
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    type of:
    membrane, tissue layer
    a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants
  8. verb
    construct or form a web, as if by weaving
    synonyms: net
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    type of:
    tissue, weave
    create a piece of cloth by interlacing strands of fabric, such as wool or cotton
Pronunciation
US

/wɛb/

UK

/wɛb/

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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘web'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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