protocol

/ˈpɹəʊtəˌkɒl/noun

An agreed set of rules for sending and receiving data, especially between computers on a network.

Example sentences

“The two devices could not connect because they used different protocols.”
“Most websites now use a secure protocol called HTTPS.”

Beyond computing it covers diplomatic etiquette and medical procedure: to 'follow protocol' is to do things the officially correct way.

On the Academic Word List. Find it in: Academic vocabulary.

Related words

firmwareSoftware stored permanently inside a device that controls its basic hardware functions.domainThe name of a website that people type into a browser, such as 'example.com'; also called a domain name.malwareComputer programs created to do harm or act against the user's wishes.hyperlinkA piece of text or an image on a screen that you can click to open another page or start an action.spywareSoftware that secretly watches what someone does on a computer and passes the information on to others.bookmarkA saved link in a web browser that lets you quickly return to a page.