Network is a system of connected people or things that work together or share information.

In technology, a network connects computers so they can share files, send messages, or access the internet. Your school probably has a computer network that lets students in different classrooms use the same printers and programs. The internet itself is a massive network connecting billions of computers worldwide.

Networks extend beyond technology. A social network means all the people you know and how those relationships connect you to even more people. Your parents might have a professional network of colleagues and contacts who help each other find jobs or solve problems. Scientists form networks to share research. Libraries create networks to loan books to each other.

Just as each thread in a fishing net connects to others around it, each person or computer in a network links to others nearby. When you network, you're building these connections deliberately, perhaps by meeting people at an event or joining a club. Strong networks create opportunities because they let information, help, and resources flow between many people or places at once. A well-connected network makes everyone in it more capable than they could be alone.