- host
- host1 W3 [həust US houst] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(at a party)¦2¦(on television/radio)¦3¦(country/city)¦4 a (whole) host of people/things5¦(in church)¦6¦(animal/plant)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Sense: 1-3, 6; Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: hoste 'host, guest', from Latin hospes, probably from hostis; HOSTILE][Sense: 4; Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: Latin hostis; HOSTILE][Sense: 5; Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: hoiste, from Latin hostia 'sacrifice']1.) ¦(AT A PARTY)¦someone at a party, meal etc who has invited the guests and who provides the food, drink etc→↑hostess▪ Our host greeted us at the door.2.) ¦(ON TELEVISION/RADIO)¦someone who introduces and talks to the guests on a television or radio programmeBritish Equivalent: compère▪ a game show host3.) ¦(COUNTRY/CITY)¦a country, city, or organization that provides the necessary space, equipment etc for a special eventhost country/government/city etc▪ the host city for the next Olympic Gamesplay host (to sth)(=provide the place, food etc for a special meeting or event)▪ The gallery is playing host to an exhibition of sculpture.4.) a (whole) host of people/thingsa large number of people or things▪ A host of showbusiness celebrities have pledged their support.5.) ¦(IN CHURCH)¦the Hosttechnical the bread that is used in the Christian ceremony of Communion6.) ¦(ANIMAL/PLANT)¦technical an animal or plant on which a smaller animal or plant is living as a ↑parasitehost 2host2 v [T]1.) to provide the place and everything that is needed for an organized event▪ Which country is going to host the next World Cup?2.) to introduce a radio or television programme▪ Next week's show will be hosted by Sarah Cox.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.