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

• garçon
• waiter
• waitperson

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

The think tank gives an example for a parent who has a toddler and a second grader and earns $15,000 a year working as a food server. —Susan Tompor, The Enquirer, 12 June 2024

Apple emphasized privacy and security during its presentation, noting most AI functions will be done on the phone, keeping inputs away from a far-off server cloud. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Ganem went on to work in the industry, starting as a server and a busboy at a sushi restaurant, finally getting to make sushi when a prep cook didn’t show up one day. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024

To date, the company has aired live exhibition matches in golf and tennis, but this was a higher-profile event that was likely to attract more viewers and let the company stress-test its live programming servers. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 3 June 2024

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

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