host
host
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "host" is /hoʊst/.
/hoʊ/ (first syllable)
/st/ (second syllable) - Note: In a single-syllable word like "host," the /st/ is part of the coda of the single syllable. When breaking it down for pedagogical purposes as "sounds of each syllable," it's often useful to highlight the initial consonant blend for clarity, even if it technically functions as a single unit within the syllable.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: host
Plural Noun: hosts
Third-person singular present verb: hosts
Present participle verb: hosting
Past tense verb: hosted
Past participle verb: hosted
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: An individual who receives or entertains guests, often at their home, a public event, or a place of business.
Synonyms: entertainer, greeter, welcoming party, master of ceremonies (MC)
Antonyms: guest, visitor, attendee
Definition: A person or organization that provides the facilities for an event or show, or who presents a broadcast.
Synonyms: presenter, anchor, compere, organizer, purveyor
Antonyms: participant, audience member, spectator
Definition: (Biology) An organism that harbors another organism, either a parasite, a commensal, or a mutual partner, and provides nourishment and/or shelter.
Synonyms: carrier, medium, substratum
Antonyms: parasite, symbiont, guest organism
Definition: (Computing) A computer or other device connected to a network, providing services to other computers.
Synonyms: server, node, endpoint
Antonyms: client, user device
Definition: A large number or multitude of people or things. (Often used in the phrase "a host of...")
Synonyms: multitude, myriad, legion, throng, abundance
Antonyms: handful, scarcity, dearth, few
Verb
Definition: To act as a host for (an event, a person, or a show); to entertain guests or present a program.
Synonyms: entertain, receive, accommodate, present, moderate
Antonyms: attend, visit, guest, participate
Definition: (Computing) To provide the computer services or infrastructure for (a website, application, or data).
Synonyms: provide, maintain, operate, house, store
Antonyms: access, connect to, download from
Adjective
Definition: Pertaining to or characteristic of a host; acting as a host. (Less common as a standalone adjective, often used in compound nouns).
Synonyms: hosting, sponsoring, welcoming
Antonyms: guest, visiting, client
Examples of Use
Books:
"He recognized a kindred spirit in the host of the inn, a man who clearly relished good company and spirited debate." (From a historical fiction novel)
"The human body acts as a host to countless microorganisms, many of which are essential for our survival." (From a biology textbook)
Newspapers:
"The city is preparing to host a major international summit next month, expecting thousands of delegates." ( The Guardian, June 2025)
"Analysts warn that the recent cyberattack exploited vulnerabilities in the company's web host." (The Wall Street Journal, May 2025)
"A host of challenges face the new administration, including inflation and unemployment." (The New York Times, April 2025)
Online Publications:
"Airbnb allows individuals to become a host and rent out their spare rooms or entire homes to travelers." (Airbnb Help Center, accessed July 2025)
"Google Cloud provides various services for hosting websites and applications, from virtual machines to serverless options." (Google Cloud Blog, March 2025)
"From a technical standpoint, the client-server model requires a central host that responds to requests from multiple clients." (Mozilla Developer Network, accessed July 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Trevor Noah was the long-running host of The Daily Show." (Television news program)
"Who will host the 2025 Academy Awards? Speculation is already running wild among fans." (Entertainment news website, January 2025)
"In the latest episode, the podcast host interviewed a renowned astrophysicist about the search for extraterrestrial life." (Podcast description)
"The video game features a multiplayer mode where one player can host a game, allowing others to join their session." (Video game instruction manual)
General Public Discourse:
"We need to find a good host family for the exchange student coming next semester." (Parent discussing student exchange program)
"The parasites cannot survive without a suitable host." (Veterinarian explaining pet health)
"He's a fantastic host; his parties are always so lively and welcoming." (Friend describing someone's hospitality)
"Our company will host a charity golf tournament to raise funds for the local orphanage." (Business professional discussing corporate social responsibility)
10 Quotes Using Host
"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host." (Maya Angelou)
"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." (Helen Keller)
"The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master." (Khalil Gibran)
"I cannot sing, dance or act; what else would I be but a talk show host." (David Letterman)
"We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts." (Jeff Bezos)
"What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?" (Aeschylus)
"Thought, like any parasite, cannot exist without a compliant host." (Bernard Beckett)
"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." (Psalm 33:6, KJV)
"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6, NKJV)
"Then Jesus said to his host, 'When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.'" (Luke 14:12, NIV)
Etymology
The word "host" actually has a fascinating and somewhat tangled history, with a few different origins that converged in English.
The most common meaning of "host" today – a person who receives guests – comes to us from Latin through Old French. It began with the Latin word hospes, which originally meant both "guest" and "host." This might seem strange, but it reflects ancient customs of hospitality where guests and hosts had reciprocal duties and roles that could switch. Think of it as "someone involved in the guest-host relationship." This Latin word eventually evolved into Old French "oste" or "hoste" and then into the Middle English "hoste," which appeared around the late 13th century.
Another, separate origin for "host" refers to a "multitude" or "army." This also comes from Latin, but from a different word: hostis. In its very early use, hostis meant "stranger" or "foreigner." However, over time, its meaning shifted to "enemy." In Medieval Latin, it then came to mean "an army" or "warlike expedition." This sense of "host" (as in "a host of angels" or "a military host") also entered Middle English around the mid-13th century from Old French "ost."
Finally, the religious meaning of "host" – the consecrated bread in the Eucharist – comes from the Latin word hostia, meaning "sacrifice" or "victim." This also came into English around the 13th century.
So, in easy-to-understand terms, the word "host" is like a word with three different family trees that all grew together in English!
Host (guest-receiver): Started with a Latin word that meant both "guest" and "host," showing how these roles were often swapped. This meaning was around in English by the late 1200s.
Host (multitude/army): Came from a different Latin word that originally meant "stranger," but later changed to mean "enemy," and then eventually "army" or "a large group." This meaning also appeared in English around the mid-1200s.
Host (Eucharist): Derived from a Latin word meaning "sacrifice" or "victim," and this use entered English around the 1300s.
It's pretty interesting how words with such different starting points can end up looking and sounding the same!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Host
Host with the most: An informal, complimentary phrase describing an excellent host.
A host of difficulties/problems/challenges: Meaning a great many or a multitude of difficulties, problems, or challenges.
To play host to (an event/person): To act as the host for something or someone.
Host family: A family that provides accommodation for a visitor, especially a foreign student, for a period.
Guest-host relationship: The dynamic between a guest and the person or entity hosting them.
Host country: The nation where an international event or organization is located.
Host organism/cell: (Biology) The organism or cell that harbors another organism, such as a parasite or virus.
Hostile reception: (Similar effect using a related word from a shared root) A very unfriendly or unwelcoming greeting.
To be a good/bad host: To exhibit good or poor qualities in entertaining guests.
Internet host: (Computing) A computer or server that provides services to other devices on the internet.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of host from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
