server

noun

serv·​er ˈsər-vər 

1

: one that serves food or drink

2

: the player who serves (as in tennis)

3

: something used in serving food or drink

4

: one that serves legal processes upon another

5

: the celebrant's assistant at mass

6

: a computer in a network that is used to provide services (such as access to files or shared peripherals or the routing of email) to other computers in the network

Synonyms of server

• waiter
• waitress

Examples of server in a Sentence

She asked our server for another glass of wine.

we had barely finished ordering when the server brought our salads

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, connecting to a VPN server gives you a new IP address, so your online activity can't be easily traced back to you. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Rigetti believes that quantum can offer answers, as Sygaldry designs servers for AI data centers that include both quantum hardware and classical chips. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026

Cardamom, the museum’s in-house restaurant operated by DDP Restaurant Group, will shift to a counter-service model this week, with customers ordering via their phones rather than through servers. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Apr. 2026

There’s literally no menu—the servers come to your table and tell you what the kitchen is offering. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English server, servere, from serven "to serve entry 1" + -er, -ere -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing server

• ad server
• altar server
• blade server

Rhymes for server

• fervor
• fervour
• observer
• preserver

Kids Definition

server

noun

serv·​er ˈsər-vər 

1

: a person who serves food or drink

2

: the player who puts a ball in play

3

: something (as a tray) used in serving food or drink

4

: a computer in a network that is used to provide services (as access to files or the delivery of email) to other computers