internet
n. (also net)
An international telecommunications network that uses the TCP/IP protocol to connect smaller computer networks.
A connection of networks, possibly by means of the internet.
Notes
The internet1 is not synonymous with the World Wide Web. The latter is a service that is provided using the internet. The internet can be used for a variety of other services, including file transfer, telnet, email, and instant messaging. The internet grew out of Department of Defense research to develop a robust communications system that could withstand significant damage to the physical network, especially damage caused by a nuclear war. That original network was called ARPAnet.
