Net Meaning
Net Definition & Usage
A fabric or structure of threads, ropes, or other materials arranged in a grid or mesh pattern, used for trapping or catching things.
Examples
- "She tossed the net into the water, hoping to catch enough fish for dinner."
- "The soccer player was caught in the net after missing a penalty."
- "A safety net is essential in construction sites to protect workers from falling."
- "The fisherman pulled the net from the sea, filled with fish."
- "He climbed up the net to reach the top of the climbing wall."
A system of interconnected computers or devices that share information, typically the Internet or a local area network.
Examples
- "The company’s internal network was down for several hours this morning."
- "I need a stronger Wi-Fi net to work from home effectively."
- "The new business strategy relies heavily on the data network to improve customer service."
- "Hackers were able to breach the company’s network and access sensitive data."
- "The internet has become the backbone of most modern business networks."
The amount remaining after all deductions, such as costs, taxes, or fees.
Examples
- "His net income last year was higher than expected."
- "The company’s net profit increased by 15% compared to last quarter."
- "After deductions, her net pay was significantly lower than her gross salary."
- "The final net worth of the business after taxes was around $5 million."
- "We need to evaluate the net gain from this investment before making a decision."
To catch or trap something using a net.
Examples
- "They netted the fish by throwing the net over the side of the boat."
- "We need to net the data before it gets corrupted by the faulty server."
- "The team netted three goals in the first half of the game."
- "The police managed to net several suspects in the raid."
- "The company netted a significant amount of revenue after the new product launch."
Cultural Context
The word 'net' originates from the Latin 'rete', meaning 'a net' or 'a snare', and has been in use in English since at least the Middle Ages. It has evolved in its usage to encompass various fields, from physical nets used in fishing to digital networks like the Internet and financial terminology.
The Net of Opportunity
Story
The Net of Opportunity
Jill stood at the edge of the dock, her eyes scanning the waters for any sign of fish. She had been at this for hours, casting and reeling in her net with little success. Finally, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, her net grew heavy with the weight of a large catch. As she pulled it in, she smiled at the fruits of her labor—two large fish wriggling at the edges of the net. It wasn’t just the fish that made her proud, but the moment of triumph after so much struggle. Back in town, her cousin Tom was struggling with a different kind of net. As a tech entrepreneur, he had spent the last few years building his startup. After months of work, the company’s net profit was finally turning a corner. ‘We’ve done it,’ he said to his team. ‘The network is solid, the business is solid. We’re finally netting some real gains.’ Later that evening, Jill and Tom shared a conversation about their respective ‘nets.’ Jill, content with her catch, realized that sometimes hard work led to tangible rewards, much like Tom’s long hours getting the company’s financial network back on track. Though their 'nets' were different, they both symbolized the power of patience, strategy, and effort.
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