noun / verb

network

A connected system of people or things, or to build such connections.

A network of volunteers delivers meals to seniors in our town.

Etymology

A network was a structure made like a net, with intersecting strands. The physical pattern became a model for connected routes, devices, organizations, or people.

More examples

  • A network of trails connects the park's lakes.
  • The office computers share files over a secure network.
  • She networks with other designers at local events.

Forms

network · networks · networked · networking

networker noun — Someone who builds and maintains professional connections.

Similar words

system
Emphasizes parts working together rather than connections among them.
web
Suggests complex, interwoven connections rather than an organized structure.
connect
Means joining or linking, without necessarily building broader relationships.