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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brett joined Vanderpump Rules as Lisa Vanderpump's personal trainer and a waiter at her West Hollywood restaurant SUR in season 8. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 For those hoping for something more British, waiters at the Golden Lion Pub on Deck 3 were whizzing by with plates. Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025 As the waiter poured for us, one lady refused the wine and ordered a soda. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025 The night at Al Baretto ends with a flourishing of sorbet, with a waiter churning the white mound in an iced silver bowl. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for waiter

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waiter. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!