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

Not bad for a story which begins with a waiter crossing a busy Los Angeles thoroughfare, and placing some Japanese-Peruvian fusion fare in a lift. — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

According to the waiter, even a request as simple as removing cheese from a burger might result in the kitchen scraping it off rather than preparing an entirely new burger. — Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

Mianna's favorite part was watching her oldest son, Baylor, embrace his role as lead waiter. — Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Garcia has held various positions at the restaurant and hotel, working his way up from a hotel houseman to a waiter at the restaurant and now a manager. — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 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)