client

American  

[klahy-uhnt] / ˈklaɪ ənt /

noun

• clients
  plural

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 /

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

Derived Forms

• cliental
  adjective
• nonclient
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clients
  plural

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

See Examples For:

client clients

“I did not advise Navatek officials, nor would I advise any client, that support from Sen. Collins was contingent on campaign donations,” Mandigo wrote.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

The client list should show tenure, frequency and average spend per client showing how concentrated the revenue is; Is it coming from a handful of clients or a broader base?

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Since the judge ordered that her client appear in person on 30 September, he cannot be deported before then, she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Though he claims to have mellowed some after years of therapy, his mega-temper still flares if you double-cross or cheap out on a client or a colleague.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

Mr. and Mrs. Lassiter had had a delivery in Santa Monica for a celebrity client.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

There’s a lot of trust involved by both the business owner and the clients who are handing over their beloved pets for hours, days and/or weeks.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Australia already ranks in the global top five for installed data-center capacity, they say in a note to clients.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

“We relied on the page, because it combined marketing, ticketing, and communications with clients and performers. To have that taken away with just a moment’s notice … I can’t even describe it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Vets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online, write price estimates ahead of treatment, and publish price lists for services as part of the rule updates.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

The moment she appeared on the landing, she was hailed by several of her employees with questions from clients.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

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