ethernet

E1T1H4E1R1N1E1T1
/ˈiθəɹˌnɛt/

proper noun

A set of network cabling and network access (CSMA/CD) protocol standards for bus topology computer networks invented by Xerox but now controlled by the 802.3 subcommittee of the IEEE.

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Meanings

ethernet1

nounethernet (plural ethernets)

plural ethernets

  1. Alternative letter-case form of Ethernet.

Ethernet2

proper noun

alternative ethernet

  1. A set of network cabling and network access (CSMA/CD) protocol standards for bus topology computer networks invented by Xerox but now controlled by the 802.3 subcommittee of the IEEE.
nounEthernet (plural Ethernets)

plural Ethernets · alternative ethernet

  1. A computer network that complies with this set of standards.

Origin

Originally a trademark of Xerox, apparently composed of ether + net (“network”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Cantonese 以太網 /以太网, 乙太網 /乙太网
  • 以太網 /以太网 (ji⁵ taai³ mong⁵)network cabling protocol standards
  • 乙太網 /乙太网 (jyut³ taai³ mong⁵)network cabling protocol standards
  • 以太網 /以太网 (ji⁵ taai³ mong⁵)computer network which complies with standards
  • 乙太網 /乙太网 (jyut³ taai³ mong⁵)computer network which complies with standards
Chinese Mandarin 以太網 /以太网, 乙太網 /乙太网
  • 以太網 /以太网 (Yǐtàiwǎng)network cabling protocol standards
  • 乙太網 /乙太网 (Yǐtàiwǎng)network cabling protocol standards
  • 以太網 /以太网 (Yǐtàiwǎng)computer network which complies with standards
  • 乙太網 /乙太网 (Yǐtàiwǎng)computer network which complies with standards
Finnish Ethernet, ethernet
  • Ethernetnetwork cabling protocol standards
  • ethernetcomputer network which complies with standards
French Ethernet, Ethernet
  • Ethernetnetwork cabling protocol standards
  • Ethernetcomputer network which complies with standards
Japanese イーサネット, イーサネット
  • イーサネット (īsanetto)network cabling protocol standards
  • イーサネット (īsanetto)computer network which complies with standards
Korean 이더넷, 이더넷
  • 이더넷 (ideonet)network cabling protocol standards
  • 이더넷 (ideonet)computer network which complies with standards
Russian эзерне́т, изерне́т
  • эзерне́т (ezɛrnɛ́t)network cabling protocol standards
  • изерне́т (izɛrnɛ́t)network cabling protocol standards
  • езерне́т (jezɛrnɛ́t)network cabling protocol standards
  • эзерне́т (ezɛrnɛ́t)computer network which complies with standards
  • изерне́т (izɛrnɛ́t)computer network which complies with standards
  • езерне́т (jezɛrnɛ́t)computer network which complies with standards
Ukrainian езерне́т, езерне́т
  • езерне́т (ezernét)network cabling protocol standards
  • езерне́т (ezernét)computer network which complies with standards
Cite this entry
APA

ethernet. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ethernet

MLA

“ethernet.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ethernet. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ethernet,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ethernet.

Source: ethernet on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.