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host1 definition

host (hōst)

noun

  1. a wafer of the bread used in a Eucharistic service
  2. a consecrated Eucharistic wafer

Etymology: ME hoste < OFr hoiste < ML(Ec) hostia, consecrated host < L, animal sacrificed, prob. < hostire, to recompense, requite

host2 definition

host (hōst)

noun

  1. one who entertains guests either at home or elsewhere
  2. a person who keeps an inn or hotel; innkeeper
  3. a country or area that provides place and services for a competition or event the city will be host to the Olympics
    1. any organism on or in which a parasitic organism lives for nourishment or protection
    2. an individual, esp. an embryo, into which a graft is inserted
  5. Comput. the main or central computer in a network
  6. Radio, TV the person who conducts a program that features informal conversation, interviews, etc.

Etymology: ME hoste < OFr, host, guest < L hospes (gen. hospitis): see hospice

intransitive verb, transitive verb

to act as host or hostess (for)
host3 definition

host (hōst)

noun

  1. an army
  2. a multitude; great number

Etymology: ME < OFr < ML hostis, army, hostile force < L: see hospice

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

hacker Host definition - hacker

medical host definition - medical

telecom host definition - telecom

host Synonyms

host

n.

  1. One who entertains

    entertainer, toastmaster, master, mistress, hostess, talk-show moderator, master of ceremonies, mistress of ceremonies, M.C., emcee; see also hostess 1, 3.

  2. One who operates a place of public hospitality

    innkeeper, hotel keeper, tavern keeper, saloon keeper, barkeeper, barkeep, bartender, restaurant owner, restaurateur, manager, maitre d', night club owner, proprietor; see also hostess 2, owner.

  3. A large group

    throng, multitude, army; see crowd 1, gathering.

  4. Organism on which a parasite subsists

    host mother, host body, animal; see organism.

  5. Sacramental bread; capitalized

    Bread of the Last Supper, wafer, Communion loaf, altar bread, Eucharist; see also communion 2, sacrament. See syn. study at crowd.


host

v.

receive, treat, wine and dine; see entertain 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

host Usage Examples

Object

  • conference: In June Britain hosted a high-level conference on children affected by armed conflict.

Noun used with modifier

  • chalet: And of course, our chalet hosts have the lowdown on all the bars!

Preposition: by

  • maid-of-honor: Traditionally, the bridal shower is hosted by the maid-of-honor or the bridesmaids.

Modifies a noun

  • institution: The good news: there are no fees to the host institution, ever.
host usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

host quotes

The land lies desolate and stripped; Across its waste has thinly strayed A tattered host of eucalypt. From whose gaunt uniform is made A ragged penury of shade.

-Adams, Arthur Henry

   Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.One thing have I desired of the L, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the L all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the L, and to inquire in his temple.

-Bible (Old Testament)

I think the dying prayat the last not please but thank you as a guest thanks his host at the door.

-Dillard, Annie

host quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"host." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/host>

APA Style

host. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/host

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