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• host
  host

  noun

  a person who receives or entertains guests at home or elsewhere.
• Host
  Host

  noun

  the bread or wafer consecrated in the celebration of the Eucharist.

host

¹ American  

[hohst] / hoʊst /

noun

1. a person who receives or entertains guests at home or elsewhere.

   Who was the host at last night's dinner party?

2. a master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for a television or radio program, podcast, online chat space, or the like.

3. 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.

4. the owner or manager of an inn, bed-and-breakfast, restaurant, etc.

5. Computers, Digital Technology.

   1. 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.

   2. an organization that maintains, controls, or provides access to a website, email service, etc., via the internet.

   3. 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.

6. 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.

7. Surgery. the recipient of a graft or of a transplanted organ, tissue, etc.

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adjective

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

verb (used with object)

• hosts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• hosted,
  past participle,  past
• hosting
  present participle

1. to provide or arrange the venue for or receive guests at (a dinner, reception, etc.).

   He hosted a reception for new members.

2. to receive and entertain (one or more guests).

   The vice president hosted the foreign dignitaries during their visit.

3. to act as master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for.

   She hosts a popular talk show.

4. Computers, Digital Technology.

   1. (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.

   2. 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?

   3. 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.

verb (used without object)

• hosts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• hosted,
  past participle,  past
• hosting
  present participle

1. 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.

host ² American  

[hohst] / hoʊst /

noun

1. a multitude or great number of persons or things.

   a host of details.

   Synonyms:

   myriad, horde, throng, drove, crowd, swarm

2. an army.

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Host ³ American  

[hohst] / hoʊst /

noun

Ecclesiastical.

1. the bread or wafer consecrated in the celebration of the Eucharist.

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Host ¹ British  

/ həʊst /

noun

1. the bread consecrated in the Eucharist

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host ² British  

/ həʊst /

noun

1. a great number; multitude

2. an archaic word for army

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host ³ British  

/ həʊst /

noun

1. a person who receives or entertains guests, esp in his own home

2. 1. a country or organization which provides facilities for and receives visitors to an event

   2. ( as modifier )

      the host nation

3. the compere of a show or television programme

4. biology

   1. an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite

   2. an animal, esp an embryo, into which tissue is experimentally grafted

5. computing a computer connected to a network and providing facilities to other computers and their users

6. the owner or manager of an inn

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verb

1. to be the host of (a party, programme, etc)

   to host one's own show

2. informal (tr) to leave (a restaurant) without paying the bill

host Scientific  

/ hōst /

1. 1. The larger of two organisms in a symbiotic relationship.

   2. 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.

2. The recipient of a transplanted tissue or organ.

3. A computer containing data or programs that another computer can access by means of a network or modem.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hostship
  noun
• hostless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• hosting
  present
• hosted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• host
  simple
• hosts
  simple
• have hosted
  perfect
• has hosted
  perfect
• am hosting
  progressive
• are hosting
  progressive
• is hosting
  progressive
• have been hosting
  perfect progressive
• has been hosting
  perfect progressive

Past

• hosted
  simple
• had hosted
  perfect
• was hosting
  progressive
• were hosting
  progressive
• had been hosting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will host
  simple
• will have hosted
  perfect
• will be hosting
  progressive
• will have been hosting
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of host¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun (h)oste, ost(e), from Old French (h)oste, from Latin hospit-, stem of hospes “host, guest, stranger,” perhaps from hosti-pot(i)s or hos-pot(i)s (unrecorded) “one granting hospitality, one in charge of guests,” from hostis “foreigner, stranger, enemy” + -pot(is), suffix akin to adjective potis “having the power to” ( see potent ¹); see also hospodar ( def. )

Origin of host²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (h)oste, ost(e), from Old French, from Latin hostis “stranger, enemy”; akin to guest; cf. host ¹ ( def. )

Origin of Host³

1275–1325; Middle English hoste < Late Latin hostia Eucharistic wafer ( Latin: victim, sacrifice); replacing Middle English oyst < Middle French oiste < Late Latin, as above

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Explanation

If you've invited people over, offered to entertain, or let someone crash on your couch, then you're a host. Throw a fabulous party and you’ll be everyone’s favorite host. Do it when you're also hosting pneumonia germs, and your guests won't be so grateful. The noun host refers to a person who receives and entertains guests. But hosting also has an ickier side: In biology, a host is an animal, plant or person that provides a home for another organism — like a parasite. Host also functions as a noun, meaning a multitude, horde, or great number. As in, "You will pick up a host of funky germs from drinking the water in rural India."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

host Host hosts hosted hosting

The host led us to a booth, steeped in the aroma of grilled onions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

While several Rwandans told AFP of their pride that their country will soon host the pinnacle of motor sports, Kigali entrepreneur Amon Niyigena, took a more pragmatic view.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Milwaukee will host either the Cleveland Guardians or Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series next Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Jason Demetriou, the Kumuls head coach, is in charge at Plough Lane, and his influence persuaded a host of Papuan players to come over.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

The third participant in the dinner-table bargain, and the host for the occasion, was Thomas Jefferson.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Host Kate Lindsay talks with writer Stephanie Murray about the unexpected challenges of relying on a low-tech device in a high-tech world.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

Host Mariska Hargitay was refreshingly lewd and charmingly self-deprecating as the first female host of the Emmys in 15 years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

Host cities actually typically see a big drop in visitors, he says, as many seek to avoid the tournament chaos.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

Host President Emmanuel Macron wants to advance a packed agenda of sensitive topics ranging from limiting global economic imbalances to increasing control in the digital sphere, notably AI.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

One by one we treated in the same way each of the great boxes, and left them as we had found them to all appearance; but in each was a portion of the Host.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in a dramatic Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney, with debutant Jack Bostock scoring a hat-trick to see the hosts snatch victory late on.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Riyadh usually hosts a packed calendar of events this time of year, including its flagship investment conference drawing foreign leaders and business titans.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Mr. Levs hosts the podcast “They Stand Corrected.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

As the long-running sketch comedy series embarks on a new season, here’s a look at the lineup of guest hosts, new players, sketches you can expect and the lingering question of Lorne Michaels.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

The hosts of Morgul intent on their prey, taken at unawares in wild career, broke, scattering like sparks in a gale.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

The company on Thursday hosted a demonstration of its Roadster 2.0, an all-electric sports car featuring the company’s impressive technology.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Watson estimates he has received about £55,000 in revenue before tax over the 20 years he has hosted masts, with tax then taking 40% off.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

The maker of Claude hosted public-market investors at its San Francisco office Wednesday for a marathon day of presentations ahead of its planned IPO, Kate Clark, Angel Au-Yeung and Corrie Driebusch report for the Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

What does Gillis have, besides a large audience of followers and a Netflix show, that others who’ve never hosted the show don’t?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

When we hosted an event, I wanted everyday people to show up, not just those accustomed to black-tie attire.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Another change involves St. Bonaventure hosting Oaks Christian at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

"It feels like landowners trying to do their bit are being bullied into accepting worse terms, putting people off hosting the infrastructure the country needs," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Worth noting here that, even though he’s been in the game far longer than Gillis, Chappelle’s hosting number is only one larger than his . . . wonder why that is?

From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2026

Like you, I come from a culture where you traditionally treat your guests on your birthday, especially if you’re the one hosting the party.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

To honor the people who had helped make my adoption possible, they were hosting a luncheon near the courthouse.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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Related Words

• anchor
• entertainer
• manager
• moderator
• owner
• presenter

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