Definition of "net" in English

noun

1. A mesh of string, cord or rope.

   • a hairnet; a mosquito net; a tennis net

2. A device made from such mesh, used for catching fish, butterflies, etc.

3. A device made from such mesh, generally used for trapping something.

4. Anything that has the appearance of such a device.

   • Petri net

5. (by extension) A trap.

   • caught in the prosecuting attorney's net

6. (geometry) Any set of polygons joined edge to edge that, when folded along the edges between adjoining polygons so that the outer edges touch, form a given polyhedron.

7. A system that interconnects a number of users, locations etc. allowing transport or communication between them.

8. (sports) A framework backed by a mesh, serving as the goal in hockey, soccer, lacrosse, etc.

   • The striker headed the ball into the net to make it 1-0.

9. (sports, tennis) A mesh stretched to divide the court in tennis, badminton, volleyball, etc.

10. (tennis, by extension) The area of the court close to the net (mesh stretched to divide the court).

verb

1. (transitive) To catch by means of a net.

2. (transitive, figuratively) To catch in a trap, or by stratagem.

3. To enclose or cover with a net.

   • to net a tree

4. (transitive, soccer) To score (a goal).

   • Evans netted the winner in the 80th minute.

5. (tennis) To hit the ball into the net.

6. To form a netting or network; to knit.

adjective

1. (obsolete) Good, desirable; clean, decent, clear.

2. Free from extraneous substances; pure; unadulterated; neat.

   • net wine

3. Remaining after expenses or deductions.

   • Near-synonym: take-home
   • net profit; net weight

4. Final; end.

   • net result; net conclusion

adverb

1. After expenses or deductions.

   • You'll have $5000 net.

noun

1. The amount remaining after expenses or other kinds of deductions are subtracted.

   • Our net on that transaction was only fourteen dollars.