alternate host: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Low Frequency / SpecializedTechnical / Scientific (primary); Professional/Media (secondary)
Quick answer
What does “alternate host” mean?
An organism (usually a plant) that serves as a necessary secondary host for the completion of a pathogen's or parasite's life cycle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organism (usually a plant) that serves as a necessary secondary host for the completion of a pathogen's or parasite's life cycle.
1. In biology/plant pathology: A secondary plant species required by a pest (e.g., rust fungus) to complete its life stages. 2. In media/events: A secondary or backup presenter who steps in for the main host.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in technical meaning. Pronunciation differs for 'alternate' (/ˈɒltəneɪt/ adj, /ˈɔːltəneɪt/ adj UK vs /ˈɔːltərnət/ adj, /ˈæltərneɪt/ verb US). The media sense is more common in American English.
Connotations
Neutral in scientific context. In media, implies a prepared, professional substitute.
Frequency
Far more frequent in scientific literature than in general use. The media sense is niche.
Grammar
How to Use “alternate host” in a Sentence
[Pathogen] requires/has/uses [Plant X] as an alternate host.[Plant X] serves/acts/functions as an alternate host for [Pathogen].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alternate host” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- The show will alternate hosts each week.
- They alternate hosting duties.
adjective
British English
- The barberry is an alternate host species.
- They appointed an alternate host for the series.
American English
- Barberry is an alternate host plant.
- She was the alternate host for the awards ceremony.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in event planning: 'We need an alternate host in case the keynote speaker is ill.'
Academic
Standard in biology, agriculture, phytopathology: 'The barberry bush is the alternate host for wheat stem rust.'
Everyday
Very rare. Only if explaining a garden pest problem.
Technical
Core term in plant disease epidemiology and parasitology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alternate host”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alternate host”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alternate host”
- Using 'alternative host' interchangeably in strict scientific writing (though accepted). Confusing it with 'intermediate host' (which may not be alternate, but sequential). Using it as a verb phrase: 'The fungus alternates host' is incorrect phrasing; use 'alternates between hosts'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In many contexts, yes, especially in parasitology. However, in strict plant pathology, 'alternate host' is preferred for pathogens like rusts that have two phylogenetically different host plants, while 'intermediate host' is often used for animal parasites.
Not in its primary scientific sense. In a media/events context, it can refer to a substitute presenter or compère.
When used as an adjective or noun (as in 'alternate host'), stress the first syllable: AL-ter-nate. When used as a verb (to switch), stress shifts in American English to the third syllable: AL-ter-NATE. In British English, the verb often retains first-syllable stress.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. You will encounter it almost exclusively in scientific texts about plant diseases or parasitology, and occasionally in media industry discussions.
An organism (usually a plant) that serves as a necessary secondary host for the completion of a pathogen's or parasite's life cycle.
Alternate host is usually technical / scientific (primary); professional/media (secondary) in register.
Alternate host: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɒl.tə.neɪt həʊst/ (adj+n), /ɔːlˈtɜː.nət həʊst/ (less common), and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːl.tɚ.nət hoʊst/ (adj+n), /ˈæl.tɚ.neɪt hoʊst/ (verb+n possible but rare). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ALTER the NATure of the HOST' – it alters the pathogen's life stage. Or: Some pests need to ALTERNATE between two HOSTS.
Conceptual Metaphor
A necessary stepping stone; a required pit-stop in a life cycle journey.
Practice
Quiz
In phytopathology, what is the primary function of an 'alternate host'?