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
Most everyday work runs perfectly well on cheaper or open-source models, and a router makes that decision automatically so nobody has to think about it. — Vinay Kuruvila, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Last month, another undocumented backdoor was found in the firmware of several Tenda routers, although at least some of the devices had been discontinued. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 The company supplies data center hardware (think Ethernet switches, routers, and other networking products) to hyperscalers including Microsoft and Meta Platforms . — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 The company is also launching a new, single API key — a model router that automatically sends requests to the most efficient AI model for the job. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 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 9 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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