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.
No loud colors, no mismatched chairs, even the waiters had to wear off-white. Nicholas Rice, People.com, 5 July 2025 The goal of excluding the maître d’ was to put more money in the pockets of regular waiters, but there was a side effect. Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025 Hey, at least the waiters speak English, and some of them serve chicken fingers. Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 2 July 2025 Besides extending the 2017 tax cuts, Trump campaigned on provisions in the legislation to end taxes on tips for employees such as waiters through 2028 and for overtime pay. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 July 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 10 Jul. 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
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