(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ of lines, roads, veins, or other long thin things is a large number of them which cross each other or meet at many points.
...Strasbourg, with its rambling ~ of medieval streets...
The uterus is supplied with a rich ~ of blood vessels and nerves.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
2.
A ~ of people or institutions is a large number of them that have a connection with each other and work together as a system.
Distribution of the food is going ahead using a ~ of local church people and other volunteers...
He is keen to point out the benefits which the family ~ can provide.
N-COUNT: usu supp N, N of n
see also old-boy ~
3.
A particular ~ is a system of things which are connected and which operate together. For example, a computer ~ consists of a number of computers that are part of the same system.
...a computer ~ with 154 terminals...
Huge sections of the rail ~ are out of action.
N-COUNT: oft n N
see also neural ~
4.
A radio or television ~ is a company or group of companies that broadcasts radio or television programmes throughout an area.
An American ~ says it has obtained the recordings.
N-COUNT: usu supp N
5.
When a television or radio programme is ~ed, it is broadcast at the same time by several different television companies.
Lumsdon would like to see his programme sold and ~ed...
He had once had his own ~ed chat show.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed
6.
If you ~, you try to meet new people who might be useful to you in your job. (BUSINESS)
In business, it is important to ~ with as many people as possible on a face to face basis.
VERB: V with n, also V