Noun: host howst
- A person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
"The gracious host ensured all his guests were comfortable and well-fed"
- A vast multitude
"A host of tourists descended on the small town";
- horde, legion
- A person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
"The host kept the awards ceremony running smoothly";
- master of ceremonies, emcee [N. Amer], MC
- The owner or manager of an inn
"The friendly host welcomed guests with homemade cookies";
- innkeeper, boniface [archaic]
- An animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association
"The dog served as a host for the ticks"
- (medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a donor
"The host's body accepted the transplanted organ without complications"
- Any organization that provides resources and facilities for a function or event
"Atlanta was chosen to be host for the Olympic Games"
- (computing) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network
"The company's main database was stored on a secure host";
- server
- [archaic] A vast multitude or army, especially of supernatural beings
"A host of angels appeared in the night sky";
- legion [archaic]
Derived forms: hosted, hosting, hosts
Type of: actor, army, being, bread, breadstuff, computer, computing device, computing machine, concourse, data processor, doer, electronic computer, entertain, entertainer, ground forces, information processing system, multitude, org [informal], organisation [Brit], organism, organization, patron, receiver, recipient, regular army, staff of life, throng, worker
Antonym: parasite
Part of: computer network
Encyclopedia: Host, Pennsylvania