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proxy server

American  
[prok-see sur-ver] / ˈprɒk si ˌsɜr vər /

noun

Computers.
  1. a server that receives requests, filters them, and forwards them to a network on behalf of another computer or network which it represents under a surrogate IP address: used to provide anonymity or increased security or to carry out intermediate processing.


proxy server British  

noun

  1. computing a computer that acts as an intermediary between a client machine and a server, caching information to save access time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of proxy server

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A proxy server typically does not encrypt your connection.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

A proxy server is an intermediary between users and web services and acts as a web filter that allow netizens to circumvent restrictions and censorship.

From Reuters • Jan. 5, 2023

"He told me the man was not a direct threat to me and that there was no chance of finding him because a proxy server was involved."

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2018

Now, once users pointed Sci-Hub toward an article, the site would check every university proxy server until it found one through which it could download the paper, and would download it automatically.

From The Verge • Feb. 8, 2018

Rather than directly accessing the original Web page in its original language, users can instead indirectly access the page via a proxy server offering translation features.

From Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Ruling by United States District Court For The Eastern District Of Pennsylvania