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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. a great number; multitude

2. an archaic word for army

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Host ² British  

/ həʊst /

noun

1. the bread consecrated in the Eucharist

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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

We host Thanksgiving every year, 14 people if everyone shows up, and the grandkids spend half of it out in the yard.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026

There was lightning in the sky on Friday night, forcing a 30-minute delay to start the Marine League football title-decider between San Pedro and host Carson.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

At first the hackers used AI to build tooling and infrastructure to host their ransomware attacks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026

The cosmology findings are available on arXiv here, while the accompanying measurements of host galaxy masses can be found on arXiv here.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

They, in turn, called in a host of experts to analyze what was revealed to be a bundle of cogwheels and dials with inscriptions.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

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

And suddenly the Shadow Host that had hung back at the last came up like a grey tide, sweeping all away before it.

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

First up, hosts Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers explain the how the new stock issuance works and why Meta’s board’s hands were tied.

From Slate ● Oct. 24, 2026

This week, Airbnb announced a new “house rules” policy that drew raves from travelers and complaints from some hosts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

In the latest “The De Los Podcast” episode, Times columnist Gustavo Arellano talks with hosts Fidel Martinez and Suzy Exposito about how the Latino vote will influence the 2026 midterm elections.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

Manchester United suffer a heavy defeat to a Como side playing just their third ever game of Champions League football, as Nico Paz stars for the hosts to pile the pressure on Michael Carrick.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

They waited to be told as much, but after a few moments realized with surprise that their hosts were evidently less enthusiastic.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

But on this Wednesday, the venue hosted a special listening session for Michael Kiwanuka’s fifth album, “Fudge,” a week before its Oct.

From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026

The last time the UK hosted the Olympics was London 2012.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

The game will take place at France’s national stadium in Saint-Denis, a suburb just north of Paris, which hosted the 1998 World Cup final and track events at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026

Kim hosted Xi in Pyongyang in June, soon after Xi held back-to-back summits in Beijing with Trump and Putin.

From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026

Mrs. Lincoln hosted as many as eight séances in the White House, using a local group of Washington, DC, mediums.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Anthropic has sought out the opinions of religious leaders on the topic of AI consciousness, hosting a series of private meetings earlier this year.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth is hosting a climate change and resilience summit in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday, which will "bring key partners together to develop future actions".

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

The next-largest increase was recorded in Turkey, which is hosting the UN climate summit in Antalya from November 9-20.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

Between evening events, she races down multiple decks for outfit changes, going from floor-length gowns and sparkly suits for hosting gigs to custom-made jerseys for dancing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

They took turns hosting nightly banquets, and the object was to top the effort of the night before.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

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Related Words

• anchor
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