server
server Lexical Profile
server Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A computer or software program that manages network resources and provides data, services, or functionality to other computers (clients) over a network.
"The company's website was temporarily unavailable because the main database server crashed during the software update."
A person whose occupation is to take orders and serve food and beverages to customers at their tables in a restaurant or dining establishment.
"Our server recommended the grilled salmon and brought a basket of warm bread to the table."
The player whose turn it is to put the ball or shuttlecock into play in racket and court sports such as tennis, volleyball, or badminton.
"In professional tennis, the server usually holds a strong tactical advantage at the start of each point."
A specialized kitchen or dining utensil, or a small tray or salver, used for dishing out and presenting food at the table.
"She used a silver pie server to lift the first slice of apple tart onto the dessert plate."
An attendant or acolyte who assists the celebrant during a Christian religious service or Mass.
"The altar server carried the processional cross down the center aisle at the beginning of the liturgy."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern hospitality contexts, especially in North America, 'server' is widely preferred as a gender-neutral alternative to 'waiter' and 'waitress'.
• Rhymes for server
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as an agent noun from the verb 'serve' (from Old French 'servir' and Latin 'servire', meaning 'to be a servant' or 'to attend upon') plus the suffix '-er'. The computing sense emerged in the late 20th century with the rise of client-server network architecture.