waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwā-tər How to pronounce waiter (audio)
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

Example Sentences

waiters at that elegant restaurant must go through an extended training program before being allowed to serve customers
Recent Examples on the Web David was working as a waiter at a vegan restaurant. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023 Big tipper Pop star Jason Derulo tipped a waiter $5,000 while dining in Omaha, Nebraska. Colby Hentges, CNN, 17 Mar. 2023 Running marketing and promotions via social media and other means is Fabian Gonzalez, who was born in Argentina, moved here as a child and worked as a busboy and waiter at a steakhouse in Chicago. George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2023 After a workout at a Los Angeles gym in 2014, Sophie and her cousin — who served as her maid of honor during the ceremony — grabbed a coffee at the café next door, where Henderson was her waiter. Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2023 In the wrong context, all-black can make someone look like a cater-waiter. Clifford Prince King, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023 Created and directed by Yılmaz, who is also the lead actor, the film turns on Ayzek, the protagonist, who has been a waiter on ferries for years, becomes unemployed due to the pandemic and eventually finds a job at a hotel on the night shift. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Nov. 2022 After attempting to join an elite philanthropy club, Margaret represents a former club employee who is accused of using the organization for drug smuggling; Todd goes undercover as a waiter at the club to attempt to get intel to help the case. Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2022 In one spirited scene Schiff fills in as a waiter when the restaurant is short-staffed; in another, the Rhodes family fixes him a lavish Passover Seder. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 29 July 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waiter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of waiter was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near waiter

Cite this Entry

“Waiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waiter. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

waiter

noun
wait·​er ˈwāt-ər How to pronounce waiter (audio)
: one that waits
especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)

More from Merriam-Webster on waiter

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