Definition

1. Noun:
   • Material made into a net; net-like fabric: A material consisting of threads or cords that are woven, knotted, or otherwise constructed into an open mesh.
   • The act or process of making nets: The craft or activity of creating nets.

Usage

• As a noun, "netting" typically refers to the material itself or the product of the net-making process. It is often used to specify a type of barrier, protection, or enclosure.
• Example: "The garden was covered with fine netting to protect the fruit from birds."
• Example: "Her hobby is netting; she makes beautiful decorative nets by hand."

Examples

• Noun (Material):
  • The windows had wire netting to keep out insects.
  • Fishermen repaired the holes in the nylon netting of their traps.
• Noun (Activity/Process):
  • Netting is a traditional skill in many coastal communities.
  • The art of netting requires patience and precision.

Advanced Usage

• "Safety netting": In medical or safety contexts, this refers to follow-up systems or protective measures to catch potential problems.
  • The clinic has a robust safety netting process for test results.
• In finance or law, "netting" can refer to the offsetting of positions or obligations to reduce risk or settle balances, but this is a distinct, specialized term from the primary definition.

Variants and Related Words

• Net (noun/verb): The finished product or the act of catching with a net.
  • They cast the net into the sea.
• Mesh (noun): Material like netting; an interlaced structure.
  • The bag was made of a plastic mesh.

Synonyms

• Meshwork: A network of interconnected strands.
• Webbing: Strong, woven fabric in a strip form, similar in structure.
• Lattice: A structure of crossed strips with open spaces, often more rigid than netting.

Related Phrases

• Wire netting: Netting made of metal wire, used for fencing or cages.
  • They built a cage from wire netting.
• Mosquito netting: A fine mesh netting used over beds to prevent insect bites.
  • We slept under mosquito netting in the tropics.

Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms that use the word "netting" in its core sense as a material or activity. Idioms typically use the root word "net" (e.g., "slip through the net").

Noun

1. creating nets
2. a net of transparent fabric with a loose open weave