webmaster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal, primarily technical/business.
Quick answer
What does “webmaster” mean?
A person responsible for maintaining and managing a particular website.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person responsible for maintaining and managing a particular website.
The role may encompass technical development, content management, server administration, and strategic oversight of a website's functionality and user experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The compound spelling as one word is standard in both.
Connotations
Slightly dated in both, suggesting an older, more generalist role compared to modern specialized titles like 'site reliability engineer' or 'content manager'.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slightly more common in US corporate job titles historically.
Grammar
How to Use “webmaster” in a Sentence
webmaster of [website/organisation]webmaster for [website/organisation]webmaster at [company]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “webmaster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The webmaster role has evolved.
- She has webmaster-level access.
American English
- He attended a webmaster conference.
- Check the webmaster guidelines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in job descriptions and organisational charts for the person overseeing the company website.
Academic
Rare; might appear in IT department communications or library website management.
Everyday
Understood but not commonly used in casual conversation; 'website manager' is more intuitive.
Technical
The specific term for the role with administrative access to a site's backend and analytics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “webmaster”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “webmaster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “webmaster”
- Misspelling as two words: 'web master'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to webmaster a site' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is gender-neutral. The '-master' suffix here denotes 'expert' or 'person in charge', not gender.
It is still understood and used, particularly in formal/technical contexts, but modern job titles are often more specific (e.g., Digital Manager, DevOps Engineer, Content Strategist).
A web developer primarily writes code to build and implement website features. A webmaster has a broader, often managerial role focused on the overall operation, maintenance, and strategy of an existing site, though roles can overlap.
No, it is not standard English. Use phrases like 'manage a website' or 'administer a site' instead.
A person responsible for maintaining and managing a particular website.
Webmaster is usually neutral to formal, primarily technical/business. in register.
Webmaster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwebmɑːstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwebˌmæstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ship's 'master' who is in charge. A WEBMASTER is the 'master' or person in charge of a website (the 'web').
Conceptual Metaphor
WEBSITE IS A DOMAIN/KINGDOM (The webmaster is the ruler or administrator of that domain).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely to be a core duty of a traditional webmaster?