router

USROW-tur/ˈɹaʊ.tɚ/UKROO-tuh/ˈɹuː.tə(ɹ)/

As a verbROW-tur

8 meanings of router

1
nouncountable
A device that sends data between computers and networks so it reaches the right place.
Like a mail sorter that reads each address and sends every letter down the right path.
The router in our living room keeps dropping the signal.
A faster router can make your whole home network feel quicker.
Note
2
USROW-tur/ˈɹaʊtɚ/UKROW-tuh/ˈɹaʊtə(ɹ)/
nouncountable
An electric tool that carpenters use to cut grooves and shape edges in wood.
Like an electric carving tool that scoops out lines in wood.
He used a router to carve a neat groove along the shelf.
The router spun fast and threw wood chips everywhere.
Note
3
nouncountable
A device that joins separate local networks so they can share data as one bigger network.
Like a bridge between two towns, letting traffic from one reach the other.
The campus installed a router to link its library and lab networks.
Without a router, the two office networks could not exchange files.
Similargateway
Note
4
verbtransitive
To cut or hollow out wood using a spinning power tool.
Like using a small tool to scoop a clean line into a piece of wood.
She routed a smooth groove into the wooden door panel.
Workers router the edges before assembling the cabinet.
Similarcarve, groove, gouge
Note
5
nouncountable
A person whose job is to send items from one place to another.
Like a traffic officer who points each car toward the right road.
The router in the warehouse decides which truck each package goes on.
As a router, she sorts deliveries and sends them to the right city.
Similardispatcher
Note
6
nouncountable
A computer program that draws all the wires needed to connect the parts on a circuit board.
Like a maze-solver that draws lines linking every point without crossing the wrong ones.
The router found a way to connect every chip on the board.
Designers ran the router to add all the wiring automatically.
Note
7
USROW-tur/ˈɹaʊtɚ/UKROW-tuh/ˈɹaʊtə(ɹ)/
nouncountable
A hand tool that shaves wood, used to shape the inside edges of round window frames.
Holding the router by its two handles, the carpenter shaved the inside curve of the round window frame.
A router works well on the inside edge of a round window.
8
USROW-tur/ˈɹaʊtɚ/UKROW-tuh/ˈɹaʊtə(ɹ)/
nouncountable
A plane with a hooked blade that sticks out below its base, used to smooth the bottom of a hollow.
Like a tool that reaches into a hole to make its floor flat and smooth.
She used a router to flatten the bottom of the carved slot.
The router reached deep into the groove to smooth its base.

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3, 5–6

From the word "route" plus "-er".

Meanings 2, 4, 7–8

From the word "rout" plus "-er".