Definition of HOST

host

Meanings

Plural: hosts

Noun

  • a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
  • a vast multitude
  • an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association
  • a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
  • archaic terms for army
  • any organization that provides resources and facilities for a function or event
    • "Atlanta was chosen to be host for the Olympic Games"
  • (medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a donor
  • the owner or manager of an inn
  • a technical name for the bread used in the service of Mass or Holy Communion
  • (computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network
  • One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially.
  • One that provides a facility for an event.
  • A person or organization responsible for running an event.
  • A moderator or master of ceremonies for a performance.
  • The primary member of a system, typically the member who fronts most often.
  • Any computer attached to a network.
  • A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.
  • An organism bearing certain genetic material, with respect to its cells.
  • A paid male companion offering conversation and in some cases sex, as in certain types of bar in Japan.
  • A multitude of people arrayed as an army; used also in religious senses, as: Heavenly host (of angels)
  • A large number of items; a large inventory.
  • The consecrated bread of the Eucharist.

Verb

  • be the host of or for
    • "We hosted 4 couples last night"
  • To perform the role of a host.
  • To lodge at an inn.
  • To run software made available to a remote user or process.

Origin / Etymology

Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstis
Proto-Indo-European *pótis
Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstipotis
Proto-Italic *hostipotis
Latin hospes
Old French ostebor.
Middle English hoste
English host
From Middle English hoste, from Old French oste (French: hôte), from Latin hospitem, accusative of hospes (“a host, also a sojourner, visitor, guest; hence, a foreigner, a stranger”), from *hostipotis, an old compound of hostis and the root of potis, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstipotis (“master of guests”), from *gʰóstis (“stranger, guest, enemy”) and *pótis (“owner, master, host, husband”). Used in English since 13th century.

Synonyms

Body of Christ, boniface, emcee, horde, innkeeper, legion, master of ceremonies, presenter, server

Antonyms

parasite

Scrabble Score: 7

host is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
host is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
host is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 6

host is a valid Words With Friends word