host

Meaning

Noun

1. One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially.
2. One that provides a facility for an event.
3. A person or organization responsible for running an event.
4. A moderator or master of ceremonies for a performance.
5. Any computer attached to a network.
6. A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.
7. An organism bearing certain genetic material, with respect to its cells.
8. A paid male companion offering conversation and in some cases sex, as in certain types of bar in Japan.

Verb

1. To perform the role of a host.
2. (obsolete) To lodge at an inn.
3. To run software made available to a remote user or process.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/həʊst/

Etymology

From Middle English hoste, from Old French oste (French: hôte), from Latin hospitem, accusative of hospes (“a host, also a sojourner, visitor, guest; hence, a foreigner, a stranger”), from *hostipotis, an old compound of hostis and the root of potis, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰostipotis (“master of guests”), from *gʰóstis (“stranger, guest, enemy”) and *pótis (“owner, master, host, husband”). Used in English since 13th century.