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

Two years ago, her brother Erick went to work as a waiter at a party. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Some fans traveled from other states, while others paid hundreds of dollars to have line-waiters save spots for them. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026

At the time of the June 2024 post, Jensen was working as a bartender and waiter. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Both waiters and watchers then make a beeline back to their original spaces, often losing out to another parker and driving around some more. — Norman Steisel, New York Daily News, 29 June 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)