NIC stands for network interface card, a type of network adapter hardware that fits into an expansion slot on a computer's motherboard. Most computers have them built in, in which case they are part of the printed circuit board, but you can also add your own NIC to expand the functionality of your system.
What is a NIC or Network Interface Card or Network Card? | TechTerms
The NIC provides the hardware interface between a computer and a network. This is true regardless of whether the network is wired or wireless, as the NIC can be used for Ethernet networks and Wi-Fi.
Network cards that connect via USB are not cards; they are USB devices that enable network connections via the USB port. These are called network adapters.
A network interface card enables a device to network with other devices. They can be used for devices that connect to a central network (as in infrastructure mode), or devices that are linked together, as in ad hoc mode.
