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

Ask the waiter for their recommendation. —Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Another technological area of focus for the industry has been robotics, autonomous systems that can whip up fries or salads, serve as a waiter, or more commonly, be used for food delivery. —John Kell, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026

Or don’t bother with the menu, ask the waiter for his daily recommendations instead. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

Mark is wearing trendy glasses with thicker frames that earn an instant compliment from the waiter. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 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)