the internet

noun the Internet (also informal) the Net) (no plural)
(computing) the international system of computers that makes it possible for you to see information from all around the world on your computer and to send information to other computers:
You can find out almost anything on the Internet.
Do you have Internet access?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Internet

In‧ter‧net S2 W2 BrE AmE, internet /ˈɪntənet $ -tər-/ noun
the Internet a computer system that allows millions of computer users around the world to exchange information:
Do you have access to the Internet?
on the Internet
You can find all kinds of information on the internet.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ use the Internet More and more companies are using the Internet to conduct their business.
▪ go on the Internet I went on the Internet to find some information for my assignment.
▪ access the Internet/connect to the Internet You can access the Internet from your mobile phone.
▪ surf the Internet (=look at different websites) She spends hours surfing the Internet every evening.
▪ download something from the Internet I downloaded the file from the Internet.
▪ buy something on the Internet He bought the chairs on the Internet.
■ Internet + NOUN
▪ an Internet connection a high-speed Internet connection
▪ Internet access Not everyone has Internet access at home.
▪ an Internet address (=the address of a website) The company charges $100 to register a new internet address.
▪ an Internet service provider (=a company that allows you to connect to the Internet) Your Internet service provider should be able to solve the problem.
▪ Internet shopping/banking The new regulations will increase customer confidence in Internet shopping. | Internet banking saves customers a lot of time.
▪ an Internet user The number of Internet users is doubling every six months.
▪ Internet use The software allows parents to control children’s Internet use.
▪ Internet traffic (=the number of people using the Internet) An estimated 40% of the nation’s Internet traffic begins or ends in California.
▪ Internet dating (=using the Internet to meet people for a romantic relationship) Internet dating websites are becoming increasingly popular.
▪ an Internet café (=a café with computers, where people can pay to use the Internet) The message had been sent from an Internet café in Leeds.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ things you do when using the Internet
▪ surf the net verb to look quickly through information on the Internet, looking for anything that interests you: He spends his evenings surfing the net.
▪ search to look for a specific piece of information on the Internet, for example by entering text into a box: Try searching for his name on Google.
▪ shop/book online to buy things or reserve tickets using the Internet: More and more people are preferring to shop online. | It’s easier to book online.
▪ visit a website to look at a particular Internet site: You can check to see how many people visit your website.
▪ download to get files, programs, music, films etc from the Internet and put them on your own computer: I downloaded the software for free from the Internet.
▪ chat to communicate with several people in a ↑chat room on the Internet: Using the Internet, you can chat to people from around the world.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Internet

Inter·net (also inter·net) [ˈɪntənet] [ˈɪntərnet] noun (usually the Internet) (also informal the Net) singular
an international computer network connecting other networks and computers from companies, universities, etc
• I looked it up on the Internet.
• You can buy our goods over the Internet.
• All the rooms have access to the Internet/Internet access.
• an Internet service provider (= a company that provides you with an Internet connection and services such as email, etc.)
see also intranet, WWW
See also: internet
Word Origin:
[Internet] 1970s (denoting a computer network connecting two or more smaller networks): from inter- ‘reciprocal, mutual’ + network.
Collocations:
Email and the Internet
Email
receive/get/open an email
write/send/answer/forward/delete an email
check/read/access your email
block/filter (out) junk/spam/unsolicited email
exchange email addresses
open/check your inbox
junk mail fills/floods/clogs your inbox
have/set up an email account
open/send/contain an attachment
sign up for/receive email alerts
Connecting to the Internet
use/access/log onto the Internet/the Web
go online/on the Internet
have a high-speed/dial-up/broadband/wireless (Internet) connection
access/connect to/locate the server
use/open/close/launch a/your web browser
browse/surf/search/scour the Internet/the Web
send/contain/spread/detect a (computer/email) virus
update your anti-virus software
install/use/configure a firewall
accept/enable/block/delete cookies
Using the Internet
visit/check a website/an Internet site/sb's blog
create/design/launch a website/social networking site
start/write/post/read a blog
update your blog/a website
be in/meet sb in/go into/enter an Internet chat room
download/upload music/software/a song/a podcast/a file/a copy of sth
share information/data/files
post a comment/message on a website/an online message board/a web forum/an internet chat room
stream video/audio/music/content over the Internet
join/participate in/visit/provide a (web-based/web/online/Internet/discussion) forum
generate/increase/monitor Internet traffic
Example Bank:
• Attempts to regulate the Internet are usually doomed to failure.
• He likes watching movies, reading, and surfing the Internet.
• It is possible to earn a degree over the Internet.
• Many of the sites launched at the peak of the Internet boom have now disappeared.
• More and more people are shopping on the Internet.
• Registering an Internet domain name is now an essential part of setting up a company.
• She likes to go on the Internet in the evenings.
• She often talks to fans via live Internet chats.
• She went on the Internet to check air fares.
• The auction was held in Paris with an Internet link to New York.
• They began scouring the Internet for information about his condition.
• Thousands logged on to view the live Internet broadcast of the concert.
• Travellers can check their email at the Internet cafe in the square.
• a broadband/high-speed Internet connection
• issues facing the music industry in the Internet age
• software for downloading Internet files
• the bank's Internet arm
• the challenges of providing Internet connectivity to rural communities
• the laying of fast networks to carry Internet traffic

• unlimited/unmetered Internet access

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

the internet / ˈɪn.tə.net / / -t̬ɚ- / noun [ S ] ( informal the Net )

A1 the large system of connected computers around the world that allows people to share information and communicate with each other:

I found out about the bombings from/on the internet.

Word partners for the internet

browse / surf the internet • post sth on the internet • download sth from the internet • on the internet • internet access • an internet chatroom / site • an internet provider / service provider • an internet account / address

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Internet

In·ter·net /ˈɪntɚˌnɛt/ noun
the Internet : a system that connects computers throughout the world
• She spent hours surfing the Internet.
- compare intranet, world wide web
- Internet adj always used before a noun
• an Internet connection
• an Internet site