packet switching

or pack·et-switch·ing

[ pak-it-swich-ing ]

noun

1. a method of efficient data transmission whereby the initial message is broken into relatively small units, or packets, that are routed independently and subsequently reassembled.

packet switching

noun

1. computing the concentration of data into units that are allocated an address prior to transmission

packet switching

/ păk′ĭt /

1. A method of network data transmission, in which small blocks of data, or packets , are transmitted over a channel which, for the duration of the packet's transmission, is dedicated to that packet alone and is not interrupted to transmit other packets. This strategy is used in transmitting data over the Internet and often over a LAN, and it capitalizes on the increase in efficiency that is obtained when there are many paths available and there is a large volume of traffic over these paths.

Word History and Origins

Origin of packet switching¹

First recorded in 1970–75