First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1host
noun \ˈhōst\
Definition of HOST
1
: army
2
: a great number : multitude
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HOST
Middle English, from Anglo-French ost, from Late Latin hostis, from Latin, stranger, enemy — more at guest
2host
verb
Definition of HOST
intransitive verb
: to assemble in a host usually for a hostile purpose
First Known Use of HOST
15th century
3host
noun
Definition of HOST
1
a : one that receives or entertains guests socially, commercially, or officially b : one that provides facilities for an event or function <our college served as host for the basketball tournament>
2
a : a living animal or plant on or in which a parasite lives b : the larger, stronger, or dominant member of a commensal or symbiotic pair c : an individual into which a tissue, part, or embryo is transplanted from another
3
: a mineral or rock that is older than the minerals or rocks in it; also : a substance that contains a usually small amount of another substance incorporated in its structure
4
: a radio or television emcee
5
: a computer that controls communications in a network or that administers a database; also : server 6
Origin of HOST
Middle English hoste host, guest, from Anglo-French, from Latin hospit-, hospes, probably from hostis
First Known Use: 14th century
4host
verb
Definition of HOST
transitive verb
1
: to serve as host to, at, or for <host friends> <host a dinner>
2
: emcee <hosted a series of TV programs>
First Known Use of HOST
15th century
5host
noun, often capitalized
Definition of HOST
: the eucharistic bread
Origin of HOST
Middle English hoste, oste, from Anglo-French oste, oiste, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin hostia Eucharist, from Latin, sacrifice
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Christian Religious Terms
HOST[3] Defined for Kids
1host
noun \ˈhōst\
Definition of HOST for Kids
1
: a person who receives or entertains guests
2
: a living animal or plant on or in which a parasite lives
2host
verb
host·edhost·ing
Definition of HOST for Kids
: to serve as host to or at <host friends> <hosting a party>
3host
noun
Definition of HOST for Kids
: multitude <We faced a host of problems.>
4host
noun , often cap
Definition of HOST for Kids
: the bread used in Christian Communion
Medical Dictionary
host
noun \ˈhōst\
Medical Definition of HOST
1
: a living animal or plant on or in which a parasite lives—see definitive host, intermediate host
2
: the larger, stronger, or dominant one of a commensal or symbiotic pair
3
a : an individual into which a tissue or part is transplanted from another b : an individual in whom an abnormal growth (as a cancer) is proliferating
Learn More About HOST
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up host? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).