Net has 21 different meanings across 5 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Proper Noun · Prep
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
"After studying cybersecurity for years, she finally decided to take a job managing traffic on the global net."
a trap made of netting to catch fish or birds or insects
"The old fisherman carefully lowered his net into the calm waters to see if he could catch any mackerel today."
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
"The company's annual report highlighted that despite high operational costs, their net income remained robust after accounting for all depreciation."
a goal lined with netting (as in soccer or hockey)
"The goalkeeper dove desperately to block the ball from hitting the far corner of the net before it crossed the line."
game equipment consisting of a strip of netting dividing the playing area in tennis or badminton
"The referee called for us to adjust the net because it had sagged too low during the match."
A mesh of string, cord or rope.
"The researchers discovered that NETs helped clear bacterial infections by trapping pathogens in a web of DNA strands outside the cell."
The amount remaining after expenses are deducted; profit.
Acronym of neutrophil extracellular trap.
In plain English: A net is a bag made of holes that you use to catch things like fish or balls.
Usage: As a noun in everyday usage, net refers to an open mesh used for catching fish or other objects, or the amount remaining after deductions are made from a total. Do not use this common term when referring to neutrophil extracellular traps, which is a specialized biological concept best described by its full name or specific acronym in scientific contexts.
To catch by means of a net.
"After paying all his expenses, he was left with a net profit of five hundred dollars from the sale."
To receive as profit.
In plain English: To net something means to catch it successfully, like when a goalie stops a ball from entering the goal.
"The store added tax to the price and then netted the final amount."
Usage: Use "net" when you want to describe the final amount remaining after all deductions, such as expenses or taxes, have been subtracted from a total figure. Do not use it to mean earning money before any costs are taken out; for that, simply say you earned or made the gross amount.
Good, desirable; clean, decent, clear.
"The net result of his hard work was a clean slate and a fresh start for everyone involved."
In plain English: Net means the final amount left after subtracting what you spent from what you started with.
"The net result of our hard work was a successful project."
Usage: Do not use "net" to mean good or clean in modern English, as this archaic sense is rarely understood today. Instead, reserve it for contexts involving the result after deductions or something caught by a mesh.
After expenses or deductions.
"After paying for taxes and insurance, our net income barely covers the rent."
In plain English: To net means to achieve a final score or result after adding up all the points gained and subtracting all the points lost.
"The team won by a net score of five points."
Usage: Use "net" as an adverb to indicate that a final amount has been calculated after subtracting costs or deductions, such as in "a net profit." It typically follows the noun phrase it modifies to show the result of these subtractions.
The Internet.
"I spent all afternoon browsing net to find a recipe for that new pasta dish."
Initialism of no earlier than or not earlier than.
"The project has a Net start date of January first, which means work cannot begin before that day."
The word "net" comes from the Old English word nett, which originally meant a net. It ultimately traces back to a root meaning "to knot, turn, or twist."