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 Philip Saunders, one of the waiters, brought in Rob Jones, a sculptor with a flair for the theatrical, and Serge hired him on the spot as maître d’hôtel. Penelope Green, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The Star also reported that Mahomes is alleged to have shoved a young male waiter out of the room. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Are the waiters at your local mom and pop restaurant relying on tips to make a living? Emma Janssen, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2024 Even an interrupting waiter can’t break the connection. Hemal Jhaveri, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 The car should have been picked up by a pair of loopy crooks, Arliss (Joey Slotnick) and Flint (C. J. Wilson), and the case in the trunk is one for which a man has been killed (by a waiter who stabs him with a corkscrew to the neck). Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024 The bride had a vision of bold deep red florals with tall candelabras, overflowing fruits, and waiters in black and white jackets serving pasta from large platters. Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2024 Low on funds, the pair stopped a while in the Sunshine State in order to accrue funds and got jobs as waiters in a restaurant called the Hawaiian Inn. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 Just then the waiter approaches, and asks if the girls are ready to order. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waiter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near waiter

Cite this Entry

“Waiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waiter. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

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