# web

/ˈwɛb/ (US) · /wˈɛb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/web
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. spider's home

noun · CEFR A2

the thin, sticky net that a spider makes to catch insects.

For teachers: a silken structure secreted by a spider to trap prey or house eggs.

- A large spider built a web across the corner of the garden shed.
- The morning dew clung to the intricate geometry of the web, making the spider's work visible against the dark hedge.

### 3. a complex network

noun · CEFR B2

a complicated set of connections between people, ideas, or things.

For teachers: an intricate or complex network of interconnected elements, often used metaphorically for social or criminal systems.

- The police discovered a complex web of lies during the investigation.
- The diplomat navigated a delicate web of international alliances to ensure the treaty was signed by all parties.

### 4. animal anatomy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the skin that connects the toes of some animals, like ducks or frogs, to help them swim.

For teachers: a fold of tissue connecting the digits of an animal, typically to facilitate swimming.

- The duck has a web between its toes that helps it push through the water.
- Evolutionary biologists study the development of the interdigital web in various avian species to understand the transition from land to water.

### 5. structural engineering

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the middle part of a metal beam that connects the top and bottom edges.

For teachers: the vertical plate or section connecting the flanges of a structural member, such as an I-beam or a rail.

- The engineer checked the steel web for any signs of bending or rust.
- The thickness of the web was increased to prevent buckling under the significant vertical loads imposed by the new bridge deck.

### 6. to cover or entangle

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to cover something with a net or to trap someone in a difficult situation.

For teachers: to cover with or as if with a web; to ensnare or entangle in a complex situation.

- The old trees were webbed with thick vines and moss.
- The protagonist found himself webbed in a conspiracy that reached the highest levels of the government.

## Examples

- You can find almost any information on the Web.
- The developer spent the afternoon fixing broken links on the company's public-facing Web portal.
- The investigation revealed a complex web of financial transactions designed to obscure the original source of the funding.

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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.