local area network: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical (IT, Business)
Quick answer
What does “local area network” mean?
A computer network that interconnects devices within a limited geographical area such as a home, school, office building, or group of buildings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A computer network that interconnects devices within a limited geographical area such as a home, school, office building, or group of buildings.
A private telecommunications network that enables data exchange and resource sharing between connected devices like computers, printers, and servers within a confined physical location. It often connects to wider networks (like the internet) via a router.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows regional conventions (e.g., 'network' vs. 'network'). The concept and term are identical.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
The full term "local area network" is used in formal/educational contexts. The initialism "LAN" is far more frequent in both technical and colloquial usage.
Grammar
How to Use “local area network” in a Sentence
[to connect/be connected] to a local area network[to set up/configure/administer] a local area network[to access/share files on] the local area networkVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “local area network” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The workstations were finally local area networked last week.
- We need to LAN these computers in the lab.
American English
- We'll be local area networking the entire building during the upgrade.
- The contractor LAN'd the new offices.
adjective
British English
- We're experiencing local-area-network connectivity issues.
- The LAN topology is star-shaped.
American English
- He's the local-area-network administrator.
- We bought new local-area-network switches.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for discussing IT infrastructure. E.g., 'The new printer needs to be configured for the office local area network.'
Academic
Used in computer science, information technology, and engineering courses to describe network architectures.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. May be mentioned when discussing home Wi-Fi setups or office IT problems.
Technical
The standard, precise term in IT, networking, and telecommunications documentation and discussion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “local area network”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “local area network”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “local area network”
- Misunderstanding the scope: confusing LAN with the internet. Pronouncing 'LAN' as a word (/læn/) rather than spelling out the letters (L-A-N) in formal speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A LAN is the network itself—the system that connects devices. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology used to connect devices to a LAN without cables. A LAN can be wired (Ethernet), wireless (Wi-Fi), or a combination of both.
Yes, typically. Your home router creates a local area network. Your devices (laptops, phones, smart TVs) connect to it wirelessly via Wi-Fi or via Ethernet cables, forming a private home LAN.
To securely share internal resources like files, databases, printers, and software applications among employees, control access to the internet, and facilitate internal communication and collaboration.
Ethernet is the most common set of technical standards (protocols) used for wired connections in a LAN. So, when you plug a computer into a network socket with a cable, you are likely using an Ethernet connection to join the LAN.
A computer network that interconnects devices within a limited geographical area such as a home, school, office building, or group of buildings.
Local area network is usually technical (it, business) in register.
Local area network: in British English it is pronounced /ˌləʊkl ˌeəriə ˈnetwɜːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌloʊkl ˌɛriə ˈnɛtwɝːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LAN = Local Area Network. Think of it as your neighbourhood: all the houses (devices) are close together and connected by local roads (cables/Wi-Fi), separate from the motorways (the internet).
Conceptual Metaphor
A DIGITAL NEIGHBOURHOOD or PRIVATE ROAD SYSTEM within a single property/estate.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a local area network (LAN)?