Network Meaning
Network Definition & Usage
A system of interconnected people, things, or places.
Examples
- "The company built a global network of offices in major cities around the world."
- "She relied on her professional network to find new job opportunities."
- "The internet is a vast network of information accessible to billions of people."
- "The police have a network of informants across the city."
- "His influence extends through a network of politicians and businessmen."
To connect or engage in a network of relationships or interactions.
Examples
- "She spent the evening networking with industry leaders at the conference."
- "It's essential to network with others if you want to advance in your career."
- "He networked with other local business owners to share resources and ideas."
- "The young entrepreneur was determined to network her way to success."
- "They networked through social media to build connections in their field."
A system of computers or devices connected to share data or resources.
Examples
- "The company's IT department is responsible for maintaining the internal network."
- "They upgraded their home network to improve the speed of the internet connection."
- "The office's network crashed after the power outage."
- "Hacking into a network without permission is illegal."
- "Network security is a critical issue for large corporations."
Cultural Context
The concept of a network is deeply embedded in both social and technological structures. Social networks are integral to human interactions, particularly in the digital age, where online networking platforms have become essential for career development and personal relationships. Meanwhile, technological networks are critical for modern communication and business infrastructure, from the internet to internal corporate systems.
The Web of Connections
Story
The Web of Connections
At a bustling tech conference, Sarah found herself standing in a crowded room, unsure of how to break the ice. She had heard so much about the importance of networking, but had always felt a bit hesitant about it. As she sipped her coffee, she overheard a conversation between two entrepreneurs discussing their latest business venture. The term 'network' seemed to pop up constantly. One of them, Mark, explained how his success was due to the strong network he had built over the years—professionals, investors, and mentors all interconnected through shared interests and goals. Feeling encouraged, Sarah decided to take the plunge. She approached the group and introduced herself. To her surprise, they welcomed her into the conversation, quickly seeing potential for future collaborations. Mark, noticing her enthusiasm, mentioned that networking wasn't just about attending events like this one—it was about cultivating genuine relationships, something he had learned from his years of experience. ‘It’s not just about who you know,’ he said, ‘but about who knows you, and how you can contribute to their success as well.’ As the day went on, Sarah met even more people—designers, developers, marketers—each conversation adding another thread to her growing web of connections. By the time the event was over, she realized that networking had already begun to pay off. She had made real connections, ones that could lead to opportunities in the future. Later, back at her office, Sarah logged onto her company’s network to check on some important emails. She smiled as she thought about how these two networks—one personal and one professional—had begun to merge together. In both cases, success was about how well the connections were maintained and how resources could be shared for mutual benefit. From that day forward, Sarah approached networking not as a chore but as an essential part of her journey to success, whether it was within the digital infrastructure of her job or the social web of professionals she had now joined.
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