attendant

1 of 2

noun

at·​ten·​dant ə-ˈten-dənt How to pronounce attendant (audio)
Synonyms of attendantnext
1
: one who attends another to perform a service
the bride and her attendants
especially : an employee who waits on customers
a gas-station attendant
2
: something that accompanies : concomitant
the sword, ring, armor, and other attendants of knighthood
3
: attendee
attendants at the festival

attendant

2 of 2

adjective

1
: accompanying, waiting upon, or following in order to perform service
… Cherub and Seraph … attendant on their Lord …John Milton
2
: accompanying or following as a consequence or result
problems attendant on pollution
civilization and its attendant moralityRobert Stone

Examples of attendant in a Sentence

Noun She let the parking attendant park her car. let the hotel attendant help them with their bags Adjective The town is trying to deal with the population boom and the attendant increase in traffic. dreaded the coming flu season and the attendant flood of school absences
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Occupations that qualify for the tax break on tips as spelled out by Treasury also include bartenders, washroom attendants, elderly companions, party planners, pet groomers and more. Susan Tompor, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026 Hundreds of attendants recalled The airline, meanwhile, is reactivating 500 of 1,300 unionized flight attendants who were furloughed late last year, the company confirmed. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
During Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goals record last season, Wilson was a spokesman of sorts for the roster, speaking at length day after day about his teammate’s greatness, contextualizing each moment even as the attendant circus mushroomed around him. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026 The attendant publicity helped fuel Jackson’s 1984 unsuccessful run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attendant

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see attend

Adjective

see attend

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attendant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attendant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

attendant

1 of 2 adjective
at·​ten·​dant ə-ˈten-dənt How to pronounce attendant (audio)
: accompanying or following as a result

attendant

2 of 2 noun
1
: one who goes with or serves another
a bride and her attendants
2
: an employee who waits on customers
a gas station attendant

Medical Definition

attendant

noun
at·​ten·​dant ə-ˈten-dənt How to pronounce attendant (audio)
: a person who attends another to perform a service
ward attendants

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