Router

noun
1.
any of various tools or machines for routing, hollowing out, or furrowing.
2.
Also called router plane. Carpentry. a plane for cutting interior angles, as at the bottom of a groove.
3.
a machine or tool for cutting into or below a main surface, as of a die or engraving plate.
verb (used with object)
4.
to cut with a router.
noun
1.
a person or thing that routes.
2.
a piece of hardware or software having a specific IP address and connected to network nodes for the transfer of data between computers.
noun
1.
any of various tools or machines for hollowing out, cutting grooves, etc
noun
1.
(computing) a device that allows packets of data to be moved efficiently between two points on a network
router
(rou’tər)
A device in a network that handles message transfers between computers. A router receives information and forwards it based on what the router determines to be the most efficient route at the time of transfer.

networking
/roo’t*/ A device which forwards packets between networks. The forwarding decision is based on network layer information and routing tables, often constructed by routing protocols.
Unix manual page: route(8).
See also bridge, gateway, Exterior Gateway Protocol, Interior Gateway Protocol, flapping router.
(1999-08-24)