firewall

[fahyuh r-wawl] /ˈfaɪərˌwɔl/
noun
1.
a partition made of fireproof material to prevent the spread of a fire from one part of a building or ship to another or to isolate an engine compartment, as on a plane, automobile, etc.
2.
a person, thing, or event that acts as a barrier or protection against something undesirable:
The new employee handbook should create a firewall against unethical business conduct.
3.
Digital Technology. an integrated collection of security measures designed to prevent unauthorized electronic access to a networked computer system.
Also, fire wall.
Origin
1750-60, Americanism
Examples from the web for firewall
  • How to check if your computer's firewall is working.
  • No virus scanner, firewall or even self-test would ever notice.
  • There are several ways to avoid firewall blocking systems.
  • And if these are left open, they provide a back door past the firewall into the company's network.
  • Click the lock at the bottom of window so that you can make changes and then enable the firewall.
  • Which are made easier in countries behind a national firewall.
  • It even generates a local area network for you and, if configured, maintains a pretty decent firewall.
  • The computer had no anti-spyware or firewall software.
  • Keep in mind that you might be in for firewall wrangling before you get things running smoothly.
  • The bandwidth is always greener on the other side of the firewall.
British Dictionary definitions for firewall

firewall

noun
1.
a fireproof wall or partition used to impede the progress of a fire, as from one room or compartment to another
2.
(computing) a computer system that isolates another computer from the internet in order to prevent unauthorized access
Word Origin and History for firewall
n.

1851 as a physical wall meant to prevent the spread of fire in a structure, from fire (n.) + wall (n.). Computer sense is by 1990.

firewall in Science
firewall
  (fîr'wôl')   
A software program designed to protect a network by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access or by monitoring transfers of information to and from the network.
firewall in Culture

firewall definition


A means of separating a computer network from outside networks for security purposes. A server outside an organization's own network may be used to funnel all incoming and outgoing traffic to assist in keeping out viruses, as well as to prevent unauthorized outsiders from gaining access to a network.

Slang definitions & phrases for firewall

firewall

noun
  1. Computer hardware or software that protects internal networks from outside intrusion: Fire-walls, in recent years, have become the bulwark against computer break-ins (1990s+ Computer)
  2. A strong safeguard between one operation or area and another: Impenetrable firewalls between federally insured banking activities and their nonbanking commercial activities would prevent stock manipulation (1990s+)

[fr a firewall built to contain a fire in a building, a meaning found by 1851, and a barricade between an engine and a passenger compartment, found by 1947]


firewall in Technology


1. firewall code.
2. firewall machine.