host
B1Neutral; used across formal, informal, business, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person who receives or entertains guests. The primary organizer or presenter of an event or show. A living organism on which a parasite lives.
A large number of people or things (a host of angels). A computer or server that provides data or services to other computers (host computer). The place or venue where an event is held. In biology, the larger organism in a symbiotic or parasitic relationship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning shifts significantly based on context: social (entertainer), technological (server), biological (organism), quantitative (a large number). The verb forms ('to host') are very common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'host' as noun and verb identically. 'Host' as a large number is slightly more literary in both.
Connotations
In both, 'host' implies responsibility, provision, and centrality. A 'good host' is socially skilled.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The verb 'to host' is extremely frequent in event, media, and tech contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] host an event/conference[VN] host guests/friends[VNN] host someone for dinner[V-ADJ] host generouslyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Reckon without one's host (to make plans without considering the person in charge)”
- “Play host to”
- “The host of heaven”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Our company will host the annual sales conference next quarter.
Academic
The liver can act as a host for several parasitic species.
Everyday
Sarah offered to host the book club meeting at her house.
Technical
The cloud provider manages the host servers for our application.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She was a charming host throughout the evening.
- The badger is a host for the bovine TB bacterium.
American English
- The talk show host interviewed the author.
- Our website is stored on a secure host.
verb
British English
- The university will host the international debate finals.
- Can you host my cousin for the weekend?
American English
- The city is bidding to host the Olympic Games.
- We're hosting a potluck dinner on Saturday.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My aunt will host a birthday party.
- He is the host of the television program.
- Brazil hosted the last World Cup.
- A host of famous actors attended the premiere.
- The parasite cannot survive without a suitable host.
- The server acts as a host for multiple virtual machines.
- The country played host to a summit of world leaders, navigating complex diplomatic protocols.
- The researcher identified the definitive host in the parasite's complex life cycle.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'HOST' as 'Has Others Staying There' for the core meaning of someone who has guests.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROVIDER IS A HOST (The server hosts the website; the country hosts the games). CENTRALITY IS HOSTING (The host is the central, responsible figure).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'гость' (guest) – they are opposites.
- The IT meaning ('хост') is a direct borrowing, but the social meaning is broader.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'host' as a verb without an object (*'They will host' vs. 'They will host a party').
- Confusing 'a host of' (many) with 'a host' (one person).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'host' used in a BIOLOGICAL sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are extremely common. The verb 'to host' is very frequent in modern English for events, websites, and data.
A 'host' often has a broader role of organizing, welcoming, and overseeing an event or show. A 'presenter' typically focuses on delivering specific content or segments. A host can be a presenter, but not always.
Yes, though slightly formal/literary. It simply means 'a large number of'. e.g., 'The reform solved a host of administrative problems.' or 'She was welcomed by a host of admirers.'
The country that organizes and provides the venue for a major international event, like the Olympics or a political summit.