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fiber

fiber

71 3.7
A thin glass or plastic thread that carries data as light
  • noun
  • /ˈfaɪbər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fibra óptica
  • It's taking forever to get the fiber optics linked in there.
  • optical fiber
  • fiber optics
  • fiber optic cable

We need to be investing in full fibre broadband for everyone.

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Examples

  • At that time, it was impossible to imagine how rapidly silica fiber technology would evolve.

    Academic text (1993)
  • So the light coming out from a fiber expands pretty fast.

  • And then they would, they would allow for fiber Internet all across the world.

  • So people decided to send it down a fibre of glass.

  • Cut the fiber cable and take out that cell tower.

  • A high bandwidth optical fiber connection.

  • We need to be investing in full fibre broadband for everyone.

  • I repeated my tests over my in-laws' fiber broadband service in New Jersey.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The collision severed the primary fiber line, as well as its backup, paralyzing Internet, DSL, and cellular communications citywide.

  • The technician installed the fiber optic cable to improve internet speed for everyone in the neighborhood.

Synonyms

strand
vsfiber
58 3.1

A single thin piece of hair or thread

usually names the small individual element rather than the whole cable
fiber optic cable
vsfiber
  • Specialized
7 3.9

A thin glass or plastic cable that sends data as light

can mean either a single thread or the bundled communication product
optical fiber
vsfiber
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A very thin glass or plastic thread that carries light signals to send data quickly

is the general term covering single threads and systems built from them
glass fiber
vsfiber
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A thin glass thread that carries light in cables and instruments

is included when referring to threads used to carry light in networks

Compounds

fiber optics
  • Specialized
13 4.0

A way of sending light through thin glass or plastic threads to carry data

fiber-optic
  • Specialized
12 4.9

A device like a cable that uses thin glass threads to send light signals for fast communication

fiber optic cable
  • Specialized
7 3.9

A thin glass or plastic cable that sends data as light

nerve fiber
  • Specialized
4 3.4

A long thin part of a nerve cell that sends electrical signals

muscle fiber
  • Specialized
4 3.4

A long cell in the body that gets shorter to make the body move

natural fiber
  • Specialized
3 3.2

A material from plants or animals that people use to make cloth

optical fiber
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A very thin glass or plastic thread that carries light signals to send data quickly

1 2.9

Soft, silky threads from the cotton plant used to make cloth

synthetic fiber
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A fiber made using chemicals, not from plants or animals

glass fiber
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A thin glass thread that carries light in cables and instruments

acrylic fiber
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A warm, soft material made from plastic like wool used for clothes and furniture covers

1 3.6

A diet high in foods like vegetables, fruit, and whole grains that helps digestion

man-made fiber
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A fiber produced by people from chemicals or other materials, not the kind that grows on living things

polyester fiber
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A strong man-made thread that dries quickly and does not shrink or wrinkle easily

bast fiber
  • Specialized
8.8

A strong plant fiber from the inner stem used to make rope or cloth

Castor fiber
  • Specialized
9.0

A large beaver that lives in and near rivers in Europe and northern Asia

efferent fiber
  • Specialized
8.1

A nerve that carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles and glands

afferent fiber
  • Specialized
7.5

A long thin part of a nerve that carries signals to the brain and spinal cord

Fibers from animals used to make cloth like wool or silk

fiber bundle
  • Specialized
5.6

A group of thin nerve threads that carry signals in the body

7.8

A device that uses light in a thin glass fiber to sense sound

A system that sends data as light through thin glass cables for very fast long-distance connections

6.5

A nerve fiber covered by a fatty layer that makes nerve signals travel faster

motor fiber
  • Specialized
5.1

A nerve that sends signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles to make them move

motor nerve fiber
  • Specialized
4.9

A thin thread that carries messages from the brain to a muscle to make it move

5.8

A long thin part of a nerve that has a fatty layer that makes signals travel faster

Purkinje fiber
  • Specialized
6.8

A special heart muscle cell that carries electrical signals through the lower heart chambers

3.5

Long thin parts of plants used to make cloth, rope and to help the body use food when eaten

sensory fiber
  • Specialized
5.5

A thin nerve that sends messages about touch, pain, or temperature to the brain

staple fiber
  • Specialized
5.6

A short natural thread from plants or animals that can be twisted to make yarn

striated muscle fiber
  • Specialized
6.5

A long thin cell in striped muscles that can shorten to cause movement

8.7

A tough material like leather made by pressing layers of paper treated with chemicals, used for electrical insulation and parts

How Fast

fiber
  • Specialized
71 3.7
multimode
  • Specialized
6.1

Surface Forms

fiber singular
fibers plural
fibres plural
fibre singular

Etymology

Fiber comes from the Latin word fibra meaning 'thread' or 'filament'. Modern 'fiber' cables are very thin glass or plastic strands like threads that carry light signals, so the same word fits these data lines.