Host: meaning, definitions and examples

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host

[həʊst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

event organization

A person who receives or entertains other people as guests.

Synonyms

MC, emcee, master of ceremonies.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
host	Typically used for someone who welcomes and entertains guests at a gathering or event. It can be both formal and informal settings. She was an excellent host at the dinner party. The TV show host introduced the guests with great enthusiasm.
emcee	Commonly used in the context of introducing performers, speakers, or events. Often associated with live performances or shows. Synonymous with 'MC', but used more in written or formal text. The emcee kept the audience entertained between the performances. As the emcee, he made sure the event stayed on schedule.
master of ceremonies	A formal term for someone who presides over a ceremony or event. Often used for high-profile or formal events such as weddings, award shows, or large community gatherings. The master of ceremonies announced the winners of the awards. During the gala, the master of ceremonies gracefully guided the proceedings.
MC	An abbreviation of 'master of ceremonies'. Frequently used in informal settings or in connection with music events, particularly in hip-hop culture. The MC hyped up the crowd before the main act took the stage. As the MC, she introduced each speaker with a touch of humor.

Examples of usage

The host welcomed the guests to the party.
She was the host of the charity event.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

technology

A computer or other device on a network that manages network resources.

Synonyms

mainframe, server.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
host	Used in a technical context to refer to a computer or server that provides services or resources to other computers. Make sure the web host is reliable before launching your site. The database host is experiencing connection issues.
server	In a technical context, it refers to a computer or system that provides services, data, or resources to other computers, typically over a network. Our web server went down last night due to high traffic. He is configuring the email server to handle more users.
mainframe	Refers to a large, powerful computer, typically used by large organizations for bulk data processing. Banks still rely on mainframe computers for secure and massive data transactions. The mainframe can handle thousands of transactions per second.

Word

Description / Examples

host

Used in a technical context to refer to a computer or server that provides services or resources to other computers.

Make sure the web host is reliable before launching your site.
The database host is experiencing connection issues.

server

In a technical context, it refers to a computer or system that provides services, data, or resources to other computers, typically over a network.

Our web server went down last night due to high traffic.
He is configuring the email server to handle more users.

mainframe

Refers to a large, powerful computer, typically used by large organizations for bulk data processing.

Banks still rely on mainframe computers for secure and massive data transactions.
The mainframe can handle thousands of transactions per second.

Examples of usage

The website is hosted on a server in a data center.
The host computer controls the flow of data.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

event organization

To organize and present a show, party, or other social event.

Synonyms

emcee, preside over.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
host	Used to describe a person who invites guests to an event or takes care of guests during an event. She will host the annual dinner party at her house The hotel staff were excellent hosts
emcee	Used to describe a person who is responsible for introducing performers or speakers at an event, such as a concert, wedding, or other forms of entertainment. The emcee kept the audience entertained between the performances The wedding reception had a humorous emcee who told great jokes
preside over	Used to describe a person who leads or oversees a formal meeting, ceremony, or event, often in an official capacity. The CEO will preside over the board meeting tomorrow The judge presided over the court case with utmost fairness

Word

Description / Examples

host

Used to describe a person who invites guests to an event or takes care of guests during an event.

She will host the annual dinner party at her house
The hotel staff were excellent hosts

emcee

Used to describe a person who is responsible for introducing performers or speakers at an event, such as a concert, wedding, or other forms of entertainment.

The emcee kept the audience entertained between the performances
The wedding reception had a humorous emcee who told great jokes

preside over

Used to describe a person who leads or oversees a formal meeting, ceremony, or event, often in an official capacity.

The CEO will preside over the board meeting tomorrow
The judge presided over the court case with utmost fairness

Examples of usage

She will host the awards ceremony next week.
We are hosting a barbecue at our house.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'hostis,' which means 'stranger' or 'enemy,' evolving to represent one who entertains.
In medieval times, a host was often a person who provided shelter and food to travelers, especially in inns.
The use of 'host' to mean the person in charge of an event became common in the 1800s.

Science

In biology, a host is an organism that receives another organism, like when a virus infects a cell.
Certain species rely on hosts for survival, like parasites that live off their host's nutrients.
The relationship between hosts and parasites can influence the health of ecosystems.

Pop Culture

Reality shows often feature hosts who guide contestants and entertain viewers, making them relatable figures.
In gaming, a 'host' is a player who runs a game session for others, especially in online multiplayer formats.
Many iconic talk shows have famous hosts who connect with guests and audiences, such as Ellen DeGeneres or Jimmy Fallon.

Literature

Literary works often feature hosts in tales of hospitality, representing warmth and social connection.
Host characters in novels can symbolize authority, such as a king or a master of a house.
The concept of the host can be explored in works addressing themes of isolation versus connection.

Technology

In computing, a host machine refers to a computer that provides data or resources to other computers over a network.
Hosts in cybersecurity can refer to any device connected to a network that can be a target for threats.
Web hosting services provide space on the internet for individuals and businesses to create websites.

Translations

Translations of the word "host" in other languages:

🇵🇹 anfitrião

🇮🇳 मेजबान

🇩🇪 Gastgeber

🇮🇩 tuan rumah

🇺🇦 господар

🇵🇱 gospodarz

🇯🇵 ホスト

🇫🇷 hôte

🇪🇸 anfitrión

🇹🇷 ev sahibi

🇰🇷 호스트

🇸🇦 مستضيف

🇨🇿 hostitel

🇸🇰 hostiteľ

🇨🇳 主持人

🇸🇮 gostitelj

🇮🇸 gestgjafi

🇰🇿 иесі

🇬🇪 მასპინძელი

🇦🇿 sahib

🇲🇽 anfitrión

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,415, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

...
2412 resource
2413 sensitive
2414 contemporary
2415 host
2416 constantly
2417 width
2418 premises
...