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

Mangione's lawyers argue that their client's Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights were violated, which protect against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as the right to due process. —Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Defense attorney William Sulton attempted to illustrate for jurors that his client was acting to defend one of the combatants, who had become outnumbered during the fight. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025

The two committed $300 million in 2023 to back Abu Dhabi startup Alpheya’s platform that helps banks offer the kind of wealth management services their affluent clients typically seek abroad. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025

That’s an immediate roadblock for large institutions like banks, whose clients largely don’t want their balances and payments history open to prying eyes. —Ben Weiss, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025

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

• giant
• pliant
• scient
• compliant
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant
• supergiant

Kids Definition

client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: a person who uses the professional advice or services of another

2

: customer sense 1