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

Mianna's favorite part was watching her oldest son, Baylor, embrace his role as lead waiter. — Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Garcia has held various positions at the restaurant and hotel, working his way up from a hotel houseman to a waiter at the restaurant and now a manager. — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Your table is ready, the waiter said, and Rebecca drained her glass and stood. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Mohamad Abdelkader Driss, a waiter in Ceuta, told The Associated Press that responsibility lies with the authorities. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 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)