host
hosts; hosted; hosting
If you've invited people over, offered to entertain, or let someone crash on your couch, then you're a host. Throw a fabulous party and you’ll be everyone’s favorite host. Do it when you're also hosting pneumonia germs, and your guests won't be so grateful.
The noun host refers to a person who receives and entertains guests. But hosting also has an ickier side: In biology, a host is an animal, plant or person that provides a home for another organism — like a parasite. Host also functions as a noun, meaning a multitude, horde, or great number. As in, "You will pick up a host of funky germs from drinking the water in rural India."
Definitions of host
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a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
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a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
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synonyms:
emcee, master of ceremonies
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examples:
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Edward Vincent Sullivan
United States host on a well known television variety show (1902-1974)
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types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
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compere
British term for someone who introduces television acts or cabarets etc
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Lord of Misrule
a person appointed master of revels at a Christmas celebration
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question master, quizmaster
the host or chairman of a radio or tv quiz show or panel game
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ringmaster
the person in charge of performances in a circus ring
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symposiarch, toastmaster
the person who proposes toasts and introduces speakers at a banquet
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toast mistress
a woman toastmaster
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type of:
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entertainer
a person who tries to please or amuse
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Edward Vincent Sullivan
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any organization that provides resources and facilities for a function or event“Atlanta was chosen to be host for the Olympic Games”
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type of:
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organisation, organization
a group of people who work together
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organisation, organization
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the owner or manager of an inn
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be the host of or for“We hosted 4 couples last night”
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types:
- show 4 types...
- hide 4 types...
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banquet, feast, junket
provide a feast or banquet for
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wine and dine
provide with food and drink, usually lavishly
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compere, emcee
act as a master of ceremonies
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do the honors
act as the host and receive or introduce one's guests
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type of:
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entertain
provide entertainment for
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a vast multitude
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archaic terms for army
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synonyms:
legion
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types:
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Roman Legion
a division of from 3000 to 6000 men (including cavalry) in the Roman army
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Sabaoth
(plural) hosts or armies; used in the book of Romans in the New Testament
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type of:
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army, ground forces, regular army
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
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Roman Legion
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an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association
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Antonyms:
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parasite
an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
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types:
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intermediate host
a host that is used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle
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definitive host
the host in which the sexual reproduction of a parasite takes place
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parasite
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(medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a donor
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(computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network
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synonyms:
server
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type of:
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computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system
a machine for performing calculations automatically
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computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘host'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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