waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwā-tər 

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

Synonyms of waiter

• waitress
• server

Examples of waiter in a Sentence

waiters at that elegant restaurant must go through an extended training program before being allowed to serve customers

Recent Examples on the Web

The rollerskating waiters and waitresses were all so fun. —Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026

The overwhelming majority of Venezuelan immigrants are hard-working nannies, gardeners, waiters and professionals who make a significant contribution to the Florida economy. —Andres Oppenheimer march 12, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

Fine dining likely involves not only a waiter but someone who advises on wines, someone to keep the table clean as you dine, someone to bring out the cheese cart. —Adam Ozimek, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

Nearby, waiters passed tuna-tartare cones as a pair of burlesque dancers wearing dog collars and fishnets performed acrobatics. —James D. Walsh, Curbed, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing waiter

• wine waiter

Rhymes for waiter

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• greater
• hater
• krater
• later
• plater
• prater

Kids Definition

waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwāt-ər 

: one that waits

especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)