Are your colleagues spewing gobbledygook during meetings? The EffectiveMeetings.com Meeting Dictionary is here to help. Periodically we’ll add new words to help you meet and communicate successfully.

Have you heard a meeting-related word that you’d like to see added to the dictionary? Send us your suggestions.

Application Host (noun)
Any computer involved in a data conference that opens and shares an application. The application host does not have to be the computer hosting the meeting – it can be any meeting participant’s computer.

e.g., As the application host, Heidi’s laptop, in the Seattle office, will share the annual expense report with our satellite offices during our data conference.

Bandwidth (noun)
Meeting jargon for having the capacity or resources to complete a task or project.

e.g., I’m not sure we have the bandwidth to create a new marketing campaign in one month.

Bandwidth can also be defined as the amount of information a network connection is capable of carrying. The larger the bandwidth is, the faster information can be downloaded to your computer.

e.g., Now that my Internet connection has a larger bandwidth, I can download information from the Web in less time.

Bluetooth Technology (noun)
A term that describes how computers connect and communicate with peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice and serial sync cables through wireless connections.

e.g., Now that my keyboard, mouse and printer are equipped with Bluetooth technology my office is virtually wire-free.

Data Bridge (noun)
A device that allows two networks to exchange data. Used in Local Area Networks (LAN – see below), a data bridge allows even those networks dissimilar in topology, wiring or communications protocols to exchange data.

e.g., Using a data bridge we were able to exchange documents with our clients despite the differences in our networks.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) (noun)
A company that builds its own products from components bought from other manufacturers.

e.g., Many large corporations save time and money by becoming an OEM.

Firewall (noun)
Hardware and/or software that prohibits unauthorized access to a private network. Used by many companies to prevent people outside of their company from accessing confidential information.

e.g., The new firewall will stop hackers from accessing confidential files stored on our company network.

Granularity (noun)
Meeting jargon meaning detail.

e.g., In this year’s budget I’d like to see more granularity in our expense breakdowns.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address (noun)
An assigned, unique address to distinguish every computer connected to the Internet from other computers. IP addresses have 32 characters.

e.g., We could determine what computers were online by looking at the IP addresses.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) (noun)
An international communications standard for sending voice, video and data over digital telephone lines or normal telephone wires.

e.g., ISDN connections are poised to replace the old telephone system because of their ability to carry video, voice and data over their digital lines.

Local Area Network (LAN) (noun)
A network in which all the computers occupy a relatively small geographical area, such as a department, office, home or building. All the connections between computers are made via network cables.

e.g., All of our employees are located in one office so we operate on a LAN.

Lumens (noun)
Unit of measurement used to determine how bright a projector is. The higher the lumens count, the brighter the projector.

e.g., If we want to give presentations with the lights on in this large meeting room, we’ll need a projector with at least 2100 lumens.

Paradigm shift (noun)
A change from the accepted point of view to a new belief.

e.g., The new manager has created a paradigm shift in our approach to marketing.

Resolution (noun)
The clarity and sharpness of the image produced by your projector and/or computer.

e.g., We need a projector with high resolution in our office to effectively show clients the high-quality graphics in our software.

Virtual teaming (verb)
To meet and collaborate as a team over distances using audio and data conferencing, videoconferencing and e-mail.

e.g., By virtual teaming with our six satellite offices we have saved thousands of dollars in travel costs.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) (noun)
Technology that enables users to exchange voice/audio data over the Internet through their computers with the use of a microphone.

e.g., Using VoIP, a webinar audience can listen to a presenter through their computer speakers.

Webinar (noun)
A Web-based conference or seminar hosted over the Internet in real time. Using their computer to access data, attendees take part from their desk, a conference room or a home office. Audio is accessed through a computer or phone.

e.g., Webinars are quickly becoming great marketing tools for companies who want to reach a large audience at a low cost.