servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

a public servant

especially : one that performs duties for another as a personal or domestic attendant

servanthood

ˈsər-vənt-ˌhu̇d 

noun

servantless adjective

Synonyms of servant

• steward
• maid
• housekeeper
• butler
• lackey

Examples of servant in a Sentence

the wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them

Recent Examples on the Web

Wadsworth begins Clue as the seemingly subservient servant before gradually taking command of the entire picture. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

The 38-year-old heir to a developer dynasty has brought the same raw attitude to his time as a government servant. — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

According to court records, prosecutors charged Ncube with one count of commercial bribery and one count of embezzlement by a clerk or agent or servant exceeding $950 in value. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English servant, sarvaunt "person serving a master or lord, retainer, attendant," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from past participle of servir "to be in attendance on, serve entry 1"

Note: Compare sergeant.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing servant

• bond servant
• civil servant
• fellow servant
• indentured servant
• public servant

Rhymes for servant

• fervent
• maidservant
• manservant
• observant

Kids Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

especially : a person hired to perform household or personal services

Etymology

Middle English servant "servant," from early French servant (same meaning), from a form of servir "to serve," from Latin servire "to be a slave, serve," from servus "slave, servant" — related to serf

Legal Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant

: a person who serves others: as

a

: an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

b

: a person in the employ and subject to the direction or control of an individual or company see also respondeat superior compare agent, master