client

American  

[klahy-uhnt] / ˈklaɪ ənt /

noun

1. a person or group that uses the professional advice or services of a lawyer, accountant, advertising agency, architect, etc.

2. a person who is receiving the benefits, services, etc., of a social welfare agency, a government bureau, etc.

3. a customer.

4. anyone under the patronage of another; a dependent.

5. Computers. a computer or an application on a computer that communicates with a remote server.

   Exit the program before installing the patch to update the client.

6. client state.

7. (in ancient Rome) a plebeian who lived under the patronage of a patrician.

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adjective

1. being a regular customer.

   a client company.

2. economically, and often militarily, dependent upon a more prosperous, more powerful nation.

client British  

/ ˈklaɪənt, klaɪˈɛntəl /

noun

1. a person, company, etc, that seeks the advice of a professional man or woman

2. a customer

3. a person who is registered with or receiving services or financial aid from a welfare agency

4. computing a program or work station that requests data or information from a server

5. a person depending on another's patronage

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client Scientific  

/ klī′ənt /

1. A program that runs on a personal computer or workstation connected to a computer network and requests information from a file server.

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Other Word Forms

• cliental
  adjective
• nonclient
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of client

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin client-, stem of cliēns “person seeking the protection or influence of someone powerful”; perhaps akin to clīnāre “to bend” ( see incline)

Explanation

If you pay for something, you are a client. If you pay to get your dog groomed, you are a client of the dog groomer (and so is your pooch). If you shop at a certain store or use the services of a particular business, then you are a client of that store or business. If you want to go into acting, for example, you'll need to become a client of a talent agent. In computer terms, a client is a computer that makes a request of another computer, called a server. The term client is especially used in networks where one server may handle multiple requests from multiple clients.

Example Sentences

Diaz said she did not believe her client leaked the agent’s name to anyone.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

As much as I enjoyed the relationship, I’m grateful I never became a client because, in hindsight, I no longer believe the friendship was entirely authentic.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

As much as I enjoyed the golfing relationship, I’m grateful I never became a client because, in hindsight, I no longer believe the friendship was authentic.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

The company cited macro headwinds like war and tariffs for the deceleration, saying those factors pressured the brands that make up its client base, and guided for 8% growth in the second quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Claire is locked in her office, talking on the phone with a client.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

Related Words

• applicant
• buyer
• consumer
• patient
• patron
• shopper