node

noun

1
a
: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint)
b
: a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind
2
: an entangling complication (as in a drama) : predicament
3
: either of the two points where the orbit of a planet or comet intersects the ecliptic
also : either of the points at which the orbit of an earth satellite crosses the plane of the equator
4
a
: a point, line, or surface of a vibrating body or system that is free or relatively free from vibratory motion
b
: a point at which a wave has an amplitude of zero
5
a
: a point at which subsidiary parts originate or center
b
: a point on a stem at which a leaf or leaves are inserted
c
: a point at which a curve intersects itself in such a manner that the branches have different tangents

Examples of node in a Sentence

the doctor examined the node on my knee before deciding it was the result of arthritis
Recent Examples on the Web The targets included munitions depots, air-defense and radar installations, weapons-production facilities, the systems used to launch missiles and drones at naval assets and maritime commercial traffic, and the Houthis’ command-and-control nodes. The Editors, National Review, 12 Jan. 2024 Correction: December 18, 2023 The number of nodes within n links of a starting node on a 3-regular graph grows as roughly 2n, not 3n as this article originally stated. Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 In some cases, the Israelis contend, beneath those facilities are important nodes in Hamas’s vast tunnel network. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 As Moore’s Law continues, each step or manufacturing node might have a different carbon footprint. IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024 The atrioventricular, or AV, node is the second key area of the heart’s electrical wiring. Virginia Singla, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2023 In people with depression, for example, some researchers have found that network nodes are overly connected, while others have found the opposite — that nodes are failing to connect. Quanta Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024 The nodes will sprout new branches to bear this summer’s crop. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2024 The highway also links key nodes in the region’s business network. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'node.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin nodus knot, node; akin to Middle Irish naidm bond

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of node was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near node

Cite this Entry

“Node.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/node. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

node

noun
1
a
: a thickened or swollen enlargement (as of a joint with rheumatism)
b
: a mass of tissue in the body resembling a knot
2
: a point on a stem at which a leaf is inserted

Medical Definition

node

noun
1
a
: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint)
b
: a body part resembling a knot
especially : a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind see atrioventricular node, lymph node
2
: a point, line, or surface of a vibrating body that is free or relatively free of vibratory motion

More from Merriam-Webster on node

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