waitressing

[wey-truh-sing]

noun

the occupation of a waitress.

Origin of waitressing

First recorded in 1935–40; waitress + -ing¹

waitress

[wey-tris]

noun

a woman who waits on tables, as in a restaurant.

verb (used without object)

to work or serve as a waitress: She waitressed in a restaurant to help pay her way through college.

Origin of waitress

First recorded in 1580–90; wait(e)r + -ess

Usage note

See -ess, -person.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for waitressing

Contemporary Examples of waitressing

"It is hot and it is ready," says Bernice Michaud, who has been waitressing at Dolly's for over a quarter century.
On the Canadian Border, It's Pancakes for Every Meal
Jane & Michael Stern
July 6, 2014
Why is Maci waitressing and Amber kvetching about paying the bills?
Teen Mom Cover Girls
Joyce C. Tang
October 19, 2010
Typically, girls and women are lured into captivity by promises of jobs in child care, waitressing, fashion, or entertainment.
Hollywood's Sex-Slave Crusade
Dana Goldstein
November 11, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for waitressing

waitress

noun

a woman who serves at table, as in a restaurant

verb

(intr) to act as a waitress

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

Word Origin and History for waitressing

waitress

1834; see waiter + -ess.