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Definition of host noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

host

noun
 
 
/həʊst/
 
/həʊst/
Idioms
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  1.  
     [countable] a person who invites guests to a meal, a party, etc. or who has people staying at their house
    • Ian, our host, introduced us to the other guests.
    • Sonja stayed with an Argentine host family.
    see also hostessTopics Cooking and eatingb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • charming
    • generous
    • genial
    • …
    verb + host
    • act as
    • play
    host + noun
    • city
    • club
    • community
    • …
    preposition
    • host to
    See full entry
  2.  
     [countable] a country, a city or an organization that holds and arranges a special event
    • the host nation/country/city
    • host to somebody/something The college is playing host to a group of visiting German scientists.
    • The wonderful city of Melbourne is host to this event.
    Extra Examples
    • The host club is to be congratulated on its organization of the tournament.
    • The town is playing host to a film crew.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • charming
    • generous
    • genial
    • …
    verb + host
    • act as
    • play
    host + noun
    • city
    • club
    • community
    • …
    preposition
    • host to
    See full entry
  3.  
     [countable] a person who introduces a television or radio show, and talks to guests synonym compère
    • a radio/TV host
    • The event will be opened by television host Bill Punter.
    see also announcer, presenterTopics TV, radio and newsb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • chat-show
    • game-show
    • radio
    • …
    See full entry
  4. [countable] (specialist) an animal or a plant on which another animal or plant lives and feeds
  5. [countable] host of somebody/something a large number of people or things
    • a host of possibilities
    • Lavender oil can relieve a whole host of ailments.
  6. (also host computer)
     [countable] (computing) the main computer in a network that controls or supplies information to other computers that are connected to it
    • transferring files from the host to your local computer
  7. the Host
     [singular] the bread that is used in the Christian service of communion, after it has been blessedTopics Religion and festivalsc2
    8. Word Originnoun senses 1 to 4 and noun sense 6 Middle English: from Old French hoste, from Latin hospes, hospit- ‘host, guest’. noun sense 5 Middle English: from Old French ost, hoost, from Latin hostis ‘stranger, enemy’ (in medieval Latin ‘army’). noun sense 7 Middle English: from Old French hoiste, from Latin hostia ‘victim’.
Idioms
be/play host to something
  1. to be a place where a particular plant, animal or feature is found
    • Australia is host to some of the world's most dangerous animals.
    • The acre of garden is host to a splendid bank of rhododendrons.
    • The park is host to a beautiful ornamental lake.
See host in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee host in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: host

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Nearby words

hide-and-seek
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Games and toys
C2
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