Grid: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'grid' when referring to a structure made of intersecting lines or for organizing elements in rows and columns.

• The city streets follow a grid pattern
• The spreadsheet is organized in a grid for easy data entry

Use 'network' when talking about interconnected systems, especially in technology and social contexts.

• The computers in the office are all connected to a network
• She has a strong professional network

Use 'system' when referring to a set of connected parts forming a complex whole, often used in technical or organizational contexts.

• The solar system consists of the sun and eight planets
• The company implemented a new filing system

Use 'web' when describing an intricate structure of interconnected elements, often used metaphorically or when referring to the internet.

• The spider spun a web in the corner of the room
• She got lost in the web of lies

Typically used in general contexts to describe any set of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, especially to structure data, layout designs, or maps. It is a common term in both everyday language and technical disciplines.

• We used a grid to organize the seating arrangements for the event.
• The city's street layout follows a grid pattern.

Used when referring to a supporting structure or underlying system, often in the context of software, theories, or approaches. It conveys the idea of a scaffold that supports or organizes elements.

• The software was built on a robust framework.
• This theory provides a useful framework for understanding the problem.

Commonly used in mathematics, science, and computing to describe a rectangular array of numbers or elements arranged in rows and columns. It can also be used more abstractly to describe complex systems or environments.

• In linear algebra, a matrix is used to solve systems of equations.
• The social matrix of the community is complex and multifaceted.

Mostly used in cartography and other scientific fields to refer to the network of lines, typically latitude and longitude, on maps and globes.

• The map's graticule helps in pinpointing exact locations.
• Graticules are crucial for accurate navigation.