host — English Dictionary

host
Word-form referenceshoast
Pronunciations (2)
  • /həʊst/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /hoʊst/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American

Noun

  1. One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially.

    Examples

    A good host is always considerate of the guest’s needs.

    Time is like a fashionable host, / That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand.

  2. One that provides a facility for an event.

  3. A person or organization responsible for running an event.

    Examples

    Our company is host of the annual conference this year.

  4. A moderator or master of ceremonies for a performance.

    Synonyms
    Examples

    The host was terrible, but the acts themselves were good.

  5. The primary member of a system, typically the member who fronts most often.

  6. Any computer attached to a network.

    Usage
    • Internet
  7. A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.

    Examples

    Viruses depend on the host that they infect in order to be able to reproduce.

    More examples (1)

    A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

  8. An organism bearing certain genetic material, with respect to its cells.

    Examples

    The so-called junk DNA is known, so far, to provide no apparent benefit to its host.

  9. 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.

    Examples

    Our company will host the annual conference this year.

    I was terrible at hosting that show.

    More examples (3)

    I’ll be hosting tonight. I hope I’m not terrible.

    I am quite impressed with the December 10th issue in which it hosted the article by Nancy Langer, "Different Abilities, the Same Queer Pleasures."

    Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola.

  2. To lodge at an inn.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    • Obsolete
    Examples

    Where you shall host.

  3. To run software made available to a remote user or process.

    Usage
    • Internet
    Examples

    Kremvax hosts a variety of services.

    More examples (1)

    CMU/TEK TCP/IP software uses an excessive amount of cpu resources for terminal support both outbound, when accessing another system, and inbound, when the local system is hosting a session.

Noun

  1. A multitude of people arrayed as an army; used also in religious senses, as: Heavenly host (of angels)

    Examples

    Why, Plugson, even thy own host is all in mutiny: Cotton is conquered; but the ‘bare backs’ — are worse covered than ever!

    All about the hosts of Mordor raged.

    More examples (2)

    By Lady Day the Scriptorium was ready to receive the "copying and burrowing" of the host of readers who had been directed by Furnivall for the past twenty years.

    the invading host that had sailed from Hellas in more than one thousand ships was of an unprecedented size.

  2. A large number of items; a large inventory.

    Examples

    The dealer stocks a host of parts for my Model A.

    There are a host of reasons for this decision.

    More examples (4)

    I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; […]

    A short time since, some friends drinking tea one summer evening at their residence near Maidenhead, with all the windows of the drawing-room open, there suddenly burst in a host of small flies, which covered the table and the furniture […]

    England ran Tunisia ragged in that spell but were punished for missing a host of chances when Ferjani Sassi equalised from the penalty spot against the run of play after Kyle Walker was penalised for an elbow on Fakhreddine Ben Youssef.

    In the immediate term, there is a host of new operating procedures to be developed and to become familiarised with, in accordance with social distancing.

Noun

  1. The consecrated bread of the Eucharist.

    Related words
    Examples

    Do you pray to the Holy Ghost when you suck your host? / Do you read who's dead in the Irish Post?

Noun

  1. 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

    Broader terms
  2. a vast multitude

    Synonyms
  3. an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association

    Antonyms
    Broader terms
  4. a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)

    Broader terms
  5. archaic terms for army

    Synonyms
  6. any organization that provides resources and facilities for a function or event

    Examples

    Atlanta was chosen to be host for the Olympic Games

  7. (medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a donor

    Broader terms
  8. the owner or manager of an inn

    Broader terms
  9. (computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network

    Synonyms

Verb

  1. be the host of or for

    Broader terms
    Examples

    We hosted 4 couples last night

Word forms
hostshoasthostshostinghostedhosted

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