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

Carvajal’s lawyer has declined to comment on the content of the letter or his client’s case . —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026

Southern California Edison promised transparency about the Eaton fire but is keeping critical investigation documents secret using attorney-client privilege claims. —Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026

The center is currently seeking state money to help pay for a program to hire homeless clients to minimum wage jobs cleaning the community, hoping to give people a boost toward better-paying employment down the line. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026

Never mind that the case counsellor appeared to have no other clients except for me. —Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 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

Rhymes for client

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