noun
mesh size of a net
Refers to the size of the openings in a net, often used in fishing or textile contexts.
この網の目合いは細かすぎて、小魚も逃げられない。
The mesh size of this net is too fine, so even small fish can't escape.
漁師は魚の種類に合わせて網の目合いを変える。
Fishermen change the mesh size of their nets depending on the type of fish.
網目 refers to the individual meshes or the pattern of a net, while 目合い specifically denotes the size of those meshes.
Compound of 目 (me, 'eye; opening') and 合い (ai, 'joining; matching'), literally 'eye matching', referring to the standardized spacing of net openings.