---
title: WebSockets
slug: Glossary/WebSockets
tags:
  - Connection
  - Glossary
  - Infrastructure
  - Networking
  - Protocols
  - Web
  - WebSocket
---
_WebSocket_ is a {{Glossary("protocol")}} that allows for a persistent {{Glossary("TCP")}} connection between {{Glossary("Server", "server")}} and client so they can exchange data at any time.

Any client or server application can use WebSocket, but principally web {{Glossary("Browser", "browsers")}} and web servers. Through WebSocket, servers can pass data to a client without prior client request, allowing for dynamic content updates.

## See also

- {{Interwiki("wikipedia", "Websocket")}} on Wikipedia
- [WebSocket reference on MDN](/en-US/docs/Web/API/WebSocket)
- [Writing WebSocket client applications](/en-US/docs/Web/API/WebSockets_API/Writing_WebSocket_client_applications)
- [Writing WebSocket servers](/en-US/docs/Web/API/WebSockets_API/Writing_WebSocket_servers)
