host
1a person who receives or entertains guests at home or elsewhere: Who was the host at last night's dinner party?
a master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for a television or radio program, podcast, online chat space, or the like.
a city, country, company, or the like that provides services and resources for a convention or sporting event, visiting personnel, etc.: Our city is proposing to serve as host for the Winter Olympics.
the owner or manager of an inn, bed-and-breakfast, restaurant, etc.
Computers, Digital Technology.
Also called host computer . a computer, often a mainframe, that stores, maintains, or controls access to a database, application, printer, etc., for other computers through a network connection; server: The new data should be rapidly uploadable from the terminal to the host.
an organization that maintains, controls, or provides access to a website, email service, etc., via the internet.
someone who initiates a computer game, videoconference, or the like on their computer or device, inviting and allowing others to participate on their own devices and sometimes controlling certain aspects of the event: Once you’ve logged in to the meeting with the password, wait for the host to admit you.
Biology. a living organism that is the source of nutrition for a parasite or that is the dominant partner in a symbiotic relationship with another organism: The virus uses the host’s cellular machinery for several steps of its life cycle.
Surgery. the recipient of a graft or of a transplanted organ, tissue, etc.: Compare donor (def. 2).
relating to or being a city, country, company, or the like that provides services and resources for a convention or sporting event, visiting personnel, etc.: International aid organizations must follow the laws and advisories of each host country where they work.
Computers, Digital Technology. relating to or being a computer that stores, maintains, or controls access to a database, application, printer, etc., for other computers through a network connection: The host PC runs the company’s documentation software, but employees can download and upload the files from their own computers.
Biology. relating to or being a living organism that is the source of nutrition for a parasite or that is the dominant partner in a symbiotic relationship with another organism: Exposure to altitude may disrupt the symbiosis between the host animal and its normal intestinal flora.
to provide or arrange the venue for or receive guests at (a dinner, reception, etc.): He hosted a reception for new members.
to receive and entertain (one or more guests): The vice president hosted the foreign dignitaries during their visit.
to act as master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for: She hosts a popular talk show.
Computers, Digital Technology.
(of a computer) to store, maintain, or control (a database, application, printer, etc.) to which other computers have access through a network connection: The office server hosts the entire integrated sales and inventory system for all the workstations.
to maintain or control and provide access to (a website, email service, etc.) via the internet: Who hosts your website, and how much do they charge?
to initiate (a computer game, videoconference, or the like) on one’s computer or device, inviting and allowing others to participate on their own devices and sometimes controlling certain aspects of the event: I'm hosting a multiplayer game tonight if you want to join.
to act as host, as for a social event, radio program, videoconference, etc.: Last Thanksgiving was at my place, so I think it’s your turn to host this year.She won’t be here for our weekly virtual meeting, so I’m hosting instead.
Origin of host
1Other words from host
- host·less, adjective
- host·ship, noun
Words Nearby host
Other definitions for host (2 of 3)
a multitude or great number of persons or things: a host of details.
an army.
Origin of host
2Other words for host
Other definitions for Host (3 of 3)
the bread or wafer consecrated in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Origin of Host
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use host in a sentence
Jon Taffer is a bar owner, consultant, and host of the television program Bar Rescue.
The underlying reasons that make overruns inevitable, Flyvjberg said, include the lack of ability of a host to reverse its decision, or any chance to save on cost by delaying the project.
Source Andrew Mangum for OZYMany international players stay with host families for the duration of the season.
Can Small-Town America Survive Pandemic’s Hit to Minor League Baseball? | Charu Kasturi | September 14, 2020 | OzyWhen the pandemic forced remote work, content became what influencers, celebrities and show hosts could create from the comfort of their homes and often from their iPhones.
‘Our goal is to become a massive marketplace’: NTWRK is bringing livestream commerce to a younger generation | Kayleigh Barber | September 14, 2020 | DigidayThe next Book Club episode we’re planning will have me as host again.
What if Your Company Had No Rules? (Bonus Episode) | Maria Konnikova | September 12, 2020 | Freakonomics
When we had that meeting in the Caribbean, Jeffrey was holding his own and not only was he a pleasant host, he was pleasant guy.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking | M.L. Nestel | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTKyle Dietrich, 36, is a host of one of the DC Dinner Parties.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone | Samantha Levine | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAt his Tucson hacienda he is a gracious host and a good neighbor.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTEarlier in the segment, host Chuck Todd had asked him if he understood and acknowledged that black people have a fear of police.
NBC News boss Deborah Turness abruptly ousted the ‘Meet the Press’ host four months ago.
David Gregory's 'Meet the Press' Eviction Exposed in Washingtonian Takedown | Lloyd Grove | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd with that the host gave him such a kick as sent him howling into the street, amidst the roars of the company.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousMy self-appointed host, whose name was Goodell, waved me to a chair, and took one opposite.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairEverybody was sorry to go when they left, and their host regretted the departure of his visitors.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThere was a host of friends and acquaintances around the little home, making merry and admiring the baby.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton WadeElmer Spiker, mine host of the inn, was huddled close to the stove, and was reading by the light of a lamp.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
British Dictionary definitions for host (1 of 3)
/ (həʊst) /
a person who receives or entertains guests, esp in his own home
a country or organization which provides facilities for and receives visitors to an event
(as modifier): the host nation
the compere of a show or television programme
biology
an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite
an animal, esp an embryo, into which tissue is experimentally grafted
computing a computer connected to a network and providing facilities to other computers and their users
the owner or manager of an inn
to be the host of (a party, programme, etc): to host one's own show
(tr) US informal to leave (a restaurant) without paying the bill
Origin of host
1British Dictionary definitions for host (2 of 3)
/ (həʊst) /
a great number; multitude
an archaic word for army
Origin of host
2British Dictionary definitions for Host (3 of 3)
/ (həʊst) /
the bread consecrated in the Eucharist
Origin of Host
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for host
[ hōst ]
The larger of two organisms in a symbiotic relationship.
An organism or cell on or in which a parasite lives or feeds.♦ A definitive host is an organism in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity. The anopheles mosquito is the definitive host for the malaria plasmodium because, while the mosquito is not adversely affected by the plasmodium's presence, it is the organism in which the plasmodium matures and reproduces.♦ An intermediate host is an organism in which a parasite develops but does not attain sexual maturity. Humans and certain other vertebrates are the intermediate host of the malaria plasmodium.♦ A paratenic host is an organism which may be required for the completion of a parasite's life cycle but in which no development of the parasite occurs. The unhatched eggs of nematodes are sometimes carried in a paratenic host such as a bird or rodent. When a predator eats the paratenic host, the eggs are ingested as well.
The recipient of a transplanted tissue or organ.
A computer containing data or programs that another computer can access by means of a network or modem.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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