Wi-Fi is short for "Wireless Fidelity" and is a set of standards for wireless local area networks based on the specifications known as 802.11. It was originally developed for use by wireless devices and local networks but it is now used for Internet access as well. If you access the Internet wirelessly from your computer or personal digital assistant, chances are you are using a flavor of Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)

A term promulgated by the Wi-Fi Alliance, it is meant to be used generically when referring to any type of 802.11 network, whether 802.11b, 802.11a or dual-band. Wi-Fi devices operate in both the 2.4 GHz (802.11b and 802.11g) and 5 GHz bands (802.11a). Wi-Fi is gaining acceptance as an alternative to a wired LAN in companies and multicomputer homes. (Wireless Fidelity) A local area network (LAN) that communicates via radio waves on the 802.11 standard instead of wires. This stands for Wireless Fidelity and means the connection of two network devices wirelessly.