Browser

Definition

Browser refers to a software application used to access and navigate the World Wide Web by retrieving, presenting, and traversing information on the internet. Additionally, it can describe a person who looks through items casually, often in a store or library.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbraʊzər/
• Respelling: BROW-zur

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbraʊzə/
• Respelling: BROW-zuh

The pronunciation of "browser" is similar in both American and British English, with slight differences in the final syllable.

Etymology

The term "browser" originates from the verb "to browse," which comes from the Middle English "brousen," meaning "to graze" or "to look through." The noun form as it relates to internet software emerged in the 1990s with the development of the World Wide Web, with applications like Mosaic and Netscape Navigator bringing the term into popular use.

Derivatives

• Browsing (noun, verb)
• Web browser (noun)
• Browser-based (adjective)
• Re-browser (noun)
• Unbrowsered (adjective, informal)

Synonyms

• Explorer (for internet browser meaning)
• Viewer
• Navigator

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The term "browser" is widely used in technology and computing to describe software applications that allow users to access web pages on the internet, including popular browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. In retail or library contexts, a "browser" may refer to someone casually looking at items or books without a specific purchase or choice in mind. As web browsers became essential tools, their features expanded to include tabs, plugins, and privacy options.

Related Terms

• Search engine: A software system used to search for information on the internet, often accessed through a browser.
• Internet: The global network of computers accessed through browsers and other applications.
• Website: A collection of web pages accessible through a browser.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A software application for accessing the internet: Refers to programs that allow users to view and interact with information on the World Wide Web.
  • Example: "She opened her browser to search for recipes."
• A person who looks through items casually: Describes someone browsing in a store, library, or similar setting without a specific goal or purchase in mind.
  • Example: "The store had several browsers but few buyers."