Host Həʊst Noun Latin Playing Animal Sense Middle

• ian, our host, introduced us to the other guests.
• sonja stayed with an argentine host family.
• the host nation/country/city
• the college is playing host to a group of visiting russian scientists.

host

1. a person who invites guests to a meal, a party, etc. or who has people staying at their house
• SEE ALSO hostess
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/hostess
• Ian, our host, introduced us to the other guests.
• Sonja stayed with an Argentine host family.
2. a country, a city or an organization that holds and arranges a special event
• the host nation/country/city
• The college is playing host to a group of visiting Russian 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.
3. a person who introduces a television or radio show, and talks to guests
• a radio/TV host
• The event will be opened by television host Bill Punter.
4. an animal or a plant on which another animal or plant lives and feeds
5. a large number of people or things
• a host of possibilities
• Lavender oil can relieve a whole host of ailments.
6. 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 bread that is used in the Christian service of communion, after it has been blessed
8. 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.

Word Origin

• noun 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’.