# router

/ˈɹaʊtɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/router
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. internet device

noun · CEFR B1

a small electronic box that connects your devices to the internet using Wi-Fi or cables.

For teachers: a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, typically connecting a local area network to the internet.

- If the internet stops working, try turning the router off and on again.
- The technician installed a high-capacity router to ensure that the office's wireless network could handle dozens of simultaneous video calls without lag.

Usage: Often used with 'wireless' or 'Wi-Fi'.

### 2. woodworking tool

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a power tool used for cutting grooves or decorative edges in wood.

For teachers: a high-speed power tool with a rotating bit used for hollowing out an area in relatively hard material like wood or plastic.

- He used a router to create a smooth, rounded edge on the new bookshelf.
- The carpenter selected a specific bit for his router to ensure the decorative grooves in the cabinet doors were perfectly uniform.

Teaching tip: In British English, this tool is often pronounced to rhyme with 'shouter', whereas the internet device is sometimes pronounced to rhyme with 'rooter'.

## Examples

- I need to restart the router because the internet is slow.
- The technician placed the router in the center of the house to ensure every room had a strong Wi-Fi signal.
- While most home users rely on a single wireless router, large office buildings require a mesh network of multiple access points to maintain a stable connection across several floors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.