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

Here was the waiter striding toward them carrying Nina’s salad and a basket of bread. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

The waiter arrived, a young man named Tyler, who took our drink order. — Larry Padgett, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

And if the fever dream of a Best Picture nomination does come true, well, YCSE’s haters just might become its waiters at the table of success. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

When the waiter came to the table with to-go boxes, my siblings grabbed them and started filling them for themselves. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 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)