router

1 of 3

noun (1)

rout·​er ˈrau̇-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
: one that routs: such as
a
: a routing plane
b
: a machine with a revolving vertical spindle and cutter for milling out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 3

noun (2)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər How to pronounce router (audio) ˈrau̇- How to pronounce router (audio)
: one that routes
especially : a device that mediates the transmission routes of data packets over an electronic communications network (such as the Internet)

router

3 of 3

noun (3)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər How to pronounce router (audio) ˈrau̇- How to pronounce router (audio)
: a horse trained for distance races

Examples of router in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Gavin John Slowly but surely, every building in Fort Albany saw a strand of fiber drop from overhead and come through a box drilled into the wall, ready to connect to a router. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026 Try disconnecting your router on a weekend afternoon and play board games with your family. — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 29 July 2026 Like with the drone and Wi-Fi router ban, the FCC’s rules include a way for companies to apply for a temporary waiver. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026 But other Starlink routers are made in Vietnam, as PCMag reported in April. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for router

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

rout entry 4 + -er entry 2

Noun (2)

route entry 2 + -er entry 2

Noun (3)

route entry 1 (in sense "race of a mile or more") + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1818, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of router was in 1818

Rhymes for router

See All Rhymes for router

Browse Nearby Words

routeman
router
router plane
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Router.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/router. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

router

1 of 2 noun
rout·​er ˈrau̇t-ər How to pronounce router (audio)
: a machine for cutting out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 2 noun
rout·​er ˈrüt-ər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇t-
: one that routes
especially : a device that sends data from one place to another within a computer network or between computer networks

More from Merriam-Webster on router

Nglish: Translation of router for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about router

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