net
Plural
nets
1
the barrier in the middle of a court over which players hit the ball, used in sports such as tennis
A net in sports like tennis, badminton, and volleyball is a piece of equipment that divides the playing area into two sides. It is typically made of strong, woven material, such as nylon, and is stretched across the center of the court or playing field. The net is set at a specific height, depending on the sport, and players aim to hit the ball or shuttlecock over the net to score points.
- The tennis player's powerful serve sent the ball over the net and into the opponent's court.
- She reached the net quickly to volley the ball back to her opponent's side.
- The net divides the tennis court into two halves and determines where the ball can land during a rally.
- The ball hit the top of the net and bounced over, earning the player a point.
- They adjusted the tension of the net to ensure it was set at the proper height for the match.
2
a barrier at the back of goalposts to capture and contain the ball or puck when a player scores, used in sports like soccer or hockey
- The soccer ball flew into the net, scoring a goal for the home team.
- The hockey puck ricocheted off the post and into the net, tying the game.
- The goalkeeper dived to try and block the shot, but the ball sailed past him and into the net.
- They replaced the worn-out net with a new one to ensure it could withstand the force of powerful shots.
- The fans erupted into cheers as the soccer ball hit the back of the net, securing victory for their team.
3
a device made of mesh or netting used to catch fish, birds, or insects
- The fishermen used a net to catch the salmon.
- A butterfly net is useful for collecting insects.
- Hunters set up a net to trap small birds.
- The lake was full of fishing nets.
- He carefully emptied the net after a day of fishing.
4
a material made of string, rope, or wire woven together at regular intervals to form a flexible, open mesh
- The dress was made of delicate net fabric.
- She bought a net for decorative purposes.
- The netting allowed air to pass through while keeping insects out.
- The bag was constructed from strong net material.
- Net curtains softened the sunlight in the room.
5
the amount remaining after all deductions, especially the excess of revenues over outlays during a given period
- The company reported a net of $50,000 for the quarter.
- After expenses, her net income was lower than expected.
- The project generated a net profit of $10,000.
- Net earnings are usually calculated after depreciation and other non-cash costs.
- They focused on increasing net revenue for the fiscal year.