in·ter·net also In·ter·net (?n?t?r-n?t?)n. A publicly accessible system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.internet (??nt??n?t) n (Communications & Information) the internet (sometimes with a capital) the single worldwide computer network that interconnects other computer networks, on which end-user services, such as World Wide Web sites or data archives, are located, enabling data and other information to be exchanged. Also known as: the Net Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014In?ter?net (??n t?r?n?t) n. the, a large computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide. [1985?90] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.In·ter·net (?n?t?r-n?t?) A system connecting computers around the world using a common software protocol for transmitting and receiving data. This protocol is known as TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.Did You Know? Although the Internet is an immense global network that reaches millions of homes and businesses, it began as a relatively simple computer network called ARPANET, funded by a Department of Defense research agency. ARPANET linked educational institutions and research facilities. Users could transfer files, send e-mail, and post messages in a forum called USENET. Later, the development of HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) allowed users to make connections from one electronic document to others by using hyperlinks. Such hyperlinked electronic documents (called webpages) can consist of text, pictures, and sound files. Over a billion of these webpages form the World Wide Web. The transmission of webpages, e-mails, files, and similar electronic data takes place on the massive network known as the Internet. What began as a simple way for military and educational researchers to communicate has developed into an international means of communicating ideas, as well as transmitting text, pictures, sound files, and even entire movies.The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.Internet1. A worldwide system of interconnected computer networks that may be accessed via a computer and a modem.2. A worldwide system of interconnected computer networks that may be accessed via a computer and modem.3. The totality of the world?s interconnected communications networks.Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited