Domain Names

The term domain name has multiple meanings, all related to the domain name system.

1.  A domain name is:

• a name that is entered into a computer (e.g. as part of a Web site or other URL, or an e-mail address) and then found in the global Domain Name System which informs the computer of the IP address assoicated with that name.
• the product that registrars provide to their customers.
• a name looked up in the DNS for other purposes.

2.  Domain names are sometimes commonly (and incorrectly) referred to by marketers as "Web addresses".  Domain names are hostnames that provide more easily memorable names to stand in for numeric IP addresses. They allow for any service to move to a different location in the Internet.