Definition, synonyms and related words
The use of computer networks.
"The server crashed because someone left a large file transfer running on the company network without permission."
In plain English: Networking is the act of building and keeping relationships with other people to help you succeed in life or work.
"She spent her weekend at industry events for better networking opportunities."
Usage: In everyday conversation, networking refers to building professional relationships and expanding your social or business connections rather than using computer systems. You should use this term when discussing how people meet contacts at events or through referrals, not when describing technical internet connectivity.
present participle of network
"The new app allows your devices to form a temporary ad-hoc networking among themselves without needing any external routers."
In plain English: Networking means talking to other people to build relationships that can help you later on.
"She spent her weekend at industry events to meet new people and build professional connections."
Usage: Use networking as a verb to describe the act of building professional relationships or connecting with others in a specific field. Do not use it to mean physically connecting cables or devices, which remains the primary meaning of the noun "network."
Derived from the noun network, this term entered English in the mid-20th century to describe the act of establishing professional or social connections. It originally referred literally to interconnecting lines or systems before taking on its modern figurative sense of building a web of contacts.