What term describes a material made of a network of wire or thread?

The correct answer, mesh, refers to a material that is created from a network of interconnected wires or threads. Mesh is characterized by its open structure, which allows air or liquid to pass through while still providing some level of support or containment. This term is frequently used in various applications, including filtration, fencing, and clothing, where the properties of both openness and strength are beneficial.

In contrast, while net might initially seem similar to mesh, it typically implies a loosely woven or knotted structure often used in fishing or sports, which is distinct from the more tightly woven or interlaced quality of mesh. Fabric refers to any material made by weaving, knitting, or bonding fibers together and is generally a broader category than mesh, which focuses specifically on a certain type of network arrangement. Fiber denotes the individual strands from which fabrics and other materials are made and does not reflect the structure of a network or grid that defines mesh. Understanding these distinctions highlights the specific attributes that make mesh the accurate term in this context.