theoretical network
nounUK /ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl ˈnɛtwɜːk/
US /ˌθiəˈrɛtɪkəl ˈnɛtwɝk/
A theoretical network is a pretend web of connections that scientists imagine to help them understand how things might work.
The researchers drew a theoretical network on the board to show how the computers could talk to each other.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A set of linked ideas that exists only in thought, not in the real world.
Her essay described a theoretical network of friendships among the characters.
3. A computer network planned on paper but not yet built.
The engineers tested a theoretical network before buying any cables.
4. A mathematical structure of points and links used for study.
The class learned about a theoretical network of nodes and edges.