client

noun

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

Synonyms of client

• customer
• patron
• guest

Examples of client in a Sentence

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

Frederick Polls’ list of clients also includes Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, who said in a telephone interview that his was paid for either by his campaign or a political action committee, not city funds. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

More than 30% of the orders received by his aluminum-coating factory in the southern Chinese city of Dongguan come from American clients. — Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026

Cardenas regularly hosted clients in box suites for sporting events. — New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026

David Berwick, owner of Adria Solutions, a recruitment agency based in Stockport, England, said that as AI takes on more of the work involved in making a placement, clients may question what their fees actually pay for. — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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