A wide area network, or WAN, is a computer network that spans a large geographical area, such as a city, a country, or even the whole world. There are several synonyms for WAN, depending on the context and specific technologies used to create the network. Some of the most common synonyms include global network, internet, public network, distributed network, cloud network, and mesh network. Each of these synonyms emphasizes different aspects of a WAN, such as its global reach, public accessibility, decentralized structure, cloud-based functionality, or interconnectivity of nodes. Regardless of the synonym used, WANs are essential for modern businesses, governments, and individuals to communicate, collaborate, and access information from anywhere in the world.