client

1 of 2

noun (1)

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: one that is under the protection of another : dependent

… a first-rate power, able to defend her political clients in central and eastern Europe.

—W. W. Kulski

2

a

: a person who engages the professional advice or services of another

a lawyer's clients

a personal trainer … enjoyed the challenges of helping clients buff up their bodies.

—S. K. Parks

b

: customer

hotel clients

a restaurant's clients

c

: a person served by or utilizing the services of a social agency

a welfare client

d

: a computer in a network that uses the services (such as access to files or shared peripherals) provided by a server

also : software that allows a computer to function as a client in a network

3

: client state

clientage

ˈklī-ən-tij 

noun

cliental

klī-ˈen-tᵊl  ˈklī-ən- 

adjective

clientless

ˈklī-ənt-ləs 

adjective

clientage

2 of 2

noun (2)

cli·​ent·​age ˈklī-ən-tij 

plural -s

1

: a body of clients : clientele

the clientage of a Roman nobleman

one of those little shops … where they sell such smart things so cheaply to a clientage of minor actresses and cocottes

—Aldous Huxley

2

: the relationship of a client to a patron or benefactor

the specific tie which bound the herdsmen to their leader was in the nature of clientage

—Kalervo Oberg

Synonyms of client

Noun (1)

• customer
• patron
• guest

Examples of client in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The accountant is meeting with another client right now, but she'll be able to see you later this afternoon.

a law firm soliciting new clients through television advertising

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Looking back on the experience, McCann describes the clients as warm and well-intentioned but acknowledges that their standards could be really specific, at times. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

Haney, Rinderknecht’s attorney, acknowledged in his opening statement his client was at the Hidden Buddha location that night. — Jack Hannah, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

The ecosystem of people who rely on a strictly online audience or clients for their revenues risks imploding. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

Watts teaches clients how to fish, respect the lake, to understand seasons, patterns and the importance of stewardship. — Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French client, from Latin client-, cliens; perhaps akin to Latin clinare to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing client

• client state

Rhymes for client

• compliant
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• noncompliant

Kids Definition

client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: a person who uses the professional advice or services of another

2

: customer sense 1