waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwā-tər 

1

: one that waits on another

especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)

2

: a tray on which something (such as a tea service) is carried : salver

Synonyms of waiter

• waitress
• server

Examples of waiter in a Sentence

waiters at that elegant restaurant must go through an extended training program before being allowed to serve customers

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearly a third of teachers hold a second job that is unrelated to education, including driving Ubers, delivering food, and working as bartenders and waiters. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026

The bread cart holds a mind-boggling array of varieties beautifully presented and enumerated by the waiter. —Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026

Some of her best sources were the waiters at the Brasserie Lipp, who saved their stories to whisper in her ear. —Casey Schwartz, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026

While Southerners can keep a secret to their graves, Kennedy and Bessette opted to have caterers, waiters, and other reception staff sign confidentiality agreements, too, according to People. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing waiter

• wine waiter

Rhymes for waiter

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• greater
• hater
• krater
• later
• plater
• prater

Kids Definition

waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwāt-ər 

: one that waits

especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)