server

noun

serv·​er ˈsər-vər 

1

: one that serves food or drink

2

: the player who serves (as in tennis)

3

: something used in serving food or drink

4

: one that serves legal processes upon another

5

: the celebrant's assistant at mass

6

: a computer in a network that is used to provide services (such as access to files or shared peripherals or the routing of email) to other computers in the network

Synonyms of server

• waiter
• waitress

Examples of server in a Sentence

She asked our server for another glass of wine.

we had barely finished ordering when the server brought our salads

Recent Examples on the Web

Infrastructure giants like Google, Oracle and Microsoft have said their servers could be useful for up to six years. —Kif Leswing, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025

In fact, Elsbeth overhears Reynolds paying close attention to a concerned skip tracer (a new-to-me term for a process server) who brings them his worry that Anders is missing in the first place. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

The stackable mugs include a serving pot, creamer server, and a sugar bowl on top. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025

Jessi Draper Ngatikaura is clearly the focus for the first half of Season 3 with the drama around the relationship between her and Marciano Brunette, the aforementioned Vanderpump Villa server, who is also seemingly involved in a scandal that involves Demi Engemann. —Peter White, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English server, servere, from serven "to serve entry 1" + -er, -ere -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing server

• ad server
• altar server
• blade server

Rhymes for server

• fervor
• fervour
• observer
• preserver

Kids Definition

server

noun

serv·​er ˈsər-vər 

1

: a person who serves food or drink

2

: the player who puts a ball in play

3

: something (as a tray) used in serving food or drink

4

: a computer in a network that is used to provide services (as access to files or the delivery of email) to other computers