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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

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

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

Mary Harris is the host and managing editor of What Next, Slate's daily news podcast.

From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026

A separate guesthouse provides another four bedrooms, while the resortlike grounds offer a host of high-end amenities, including a tennis court, swimming pool, gym, wine cellar, private beach, docks, and boathouse.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

In March, a women's Test that West Indies were due to host against Australia was cancelled, though the white-ball element of that tour went ahead.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Radio host Anatoliy Yatsechko jogs across a bridge to St. Volodymyr Hill, a park overlooking the city.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

And they seemed to have genuine affection for their host.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

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 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

"I think we have had a slow build that is leading to a frothy frenzy," says Larry Freedman, co-chairman of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

Host Hotels & Resorts, which has properties in 10 U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

Host and hostess were having the time of their lives.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

The hosts finished with 83 golds, a distant second in the medals table behind China with 169.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

Lamu hosts 70% of Kenya’s mangrove forests that provide a massive carbon sink and are vital breeding grounds for marine life and migratory birds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Indeed, there had been only a Red Walled-willingness for Wales - and Bellamy - to be better throughout the 90 minutes, the noise lifting as Haaland remained contained and the hosts continued to move forward.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Event cancellation insurance protects Olympic hosts in the event that a natural disaster, terrorist threat, health emergency or other unforeseen event disrupts the quadrennial sports extravaganza.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Zeitoun’s entrance interview was brief and his hosts were polite.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Between gigs at Ultra Music Festival and Coachella, for example, DJ John Summit played a set this spring at an office-themed party in downtown Manhattan hosted by LinkedIn and Spotify.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Rajan had previously hosted both Michael Sheen and Joe Lycett on the Radio 2 Breakfast show, and also interviewed Romesh Ranganathan on BBC Asian Network.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Earlier this week, Anthropic hosted a limited giveaway of “Clawd” plushies and stickers — a reference to the pixelated crab logo featured in the Claude Code terminal tool.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 3, 2026

Hegseth has also hosted Christian worship services at the Pentagon.

From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026

A month before the 2004 election I had appeared on the CBS News Sunday morning show Face the Nation, hosted by veteran correspondent Bob Schieffer.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

The pop star made her hosting debut, and pulled double duty as musical guest, while comedian Aziz Ansari made a cameo in the cold open as FBI Director Kash Patel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

As Abuja has slowly filled in over the years, it has shed some of its sterile feel, hosting a photography festival, an international film festival and a burgeoning literary scene.

From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026

Photographs showed protesters in the east coast city of Valencia clashing with police officers on Saturday near arts centre Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, which was hosting a real estate summit.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Plus, British counterterrorism police release suspects in terror plot at base hosting U.S. forces and Trump unveils $15 billion Iowa steel project.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

They reach out to people, hosting dinner parties, bequeathing little bits of themselves to their friends.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

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