web

1 of 2

noun

1
: a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom
2
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 follyD. 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 adjective
weblike 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
3
: to provide with a web

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Today's enterprise technology stack is, by design, a complex web of AI models, APIs and microservices. Rajat Bhargava, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Facebook photos show Reeves surrounded by family in hospital A family member of Reeves posted multiple photos on Facebook showing the teenager lying in a hospital bed surrounded by a web of cords attached to medical equipment along with what appeared to be a breathing tube hooked up to his mouth. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
My only other gripe about this pack is the top handle, which is a single thin piece of webbing that also isn't up to the standards of the rest of the pack. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 27 June 2024 There's also a variety of webbing and loops around the pack—three loops on the bottom and some webbing with shock cording just above the four outside pockets. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for web 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of web was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near web

Cite this Entry

“Web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/web. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

web

1 of 2 noun
1
: a fabric on a loom or in the process of being removed from a loom
2
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
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
: 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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on web

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