ethernet
EE-ther-net
/ˈiːθərnɛt/
A system for connecting computer systems within a local area network (LAN) using physical cables.
Provides a physical, hardwired internet connection, offering faster and more stable performance than wireless Wi-Fi.
The story behind the word. Invented by Robert Metcalfe at Xerox PARC in 1973. Metcalfe named it after 'luminiferous ether', the 19th-century scientific hypothesis that an invisible substance filled space to carry light waves. Metcalfe liked the idea of a medium passively carrying data packets across physical cables.
Word relationships
- hardwire connection: Hardwire is a general term for physical wiring, while ethernet is a specific standardized networking protocol.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is wireless radio networking, whereas Ethernet requires physical cabling.
Commonly confused with
- internet: Ethernet is a cable-based local networking technique; the Internet is the global collection of interconnected networks.
Collocations
- ethernet cable
- ethernet port
- gigabit ethernet
- ethernet connection
Example sentences
- "Connecting your PC via an ethernet cable provides far lower latency than Wi-Fi." Office Setup
- "The modern laptop features a gigabit ethernet port for ultra-fast wired networking." Hardware Specs
Memory hook
ETHER (invisible air converted to physical wires) + NET (network connection). Wired cable network connection.
When not to use
Do not use ethernet to refer to cellular or wireless connections.
Fun facts
- The original Ethernet cable prototype designed by Metcalfe in 1973 transmitted data at 2.94 Megabits per second.
Explore more words
Router, Switch, Connectivity, multiplayer, cellular, Firewall
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