server
SUR-vuh
Server (noun) means a computer or program that provides data or services to other computers over a network. Example: “The website went down when the server crashed.”
noun
1
A computer or program that provides data or services to other computers over a network.
"The website went down when the server crashed."
"All our files are stored on a company server."
"The technician restarted the server to fix the slow loading times."
2
A person who waits on customers, especially in a restaurant.
"Our server recommended the fish special."
"The server brought our drinks and asked if we were ready to order."
"She works as a server at a small cafe near the station."
3
An online community platform, especially on Discord, that only members can access.
"She invited me to join her gaming server."
"Our book club runs a private server where we chat every evening."
"You need an invite link to join the server."
How to use server
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the person bringing your food, the machine hosting a website, or an online group chat space.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
restaurant server
web server
Discord server
server crash
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Word forms
- Plural
- servers
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The website went down when the _____ crashed.
Etymology
From serve + -er, "one who serves."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for server
See all rhymes for server →Frequently asked questions
What does “server” mean?
The word “server” means a computer or program that provides data or services to other computers over a network. In plain terms, either the person bringing your food, the machine hosting a website, or an online group chat space.
How do you pronounce “server”?
“Server” is pronounced SUR-vuh (/ˈsɝvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “server” in a sentence?
Here is “server” used in a sentence: “The website went down when the server crashed.”
What part of speech is “server”?
“Server” is a noun.
Is “server” a common word?
“Server” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “server” have?
“Server” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a computer or program that provides data or services to other computers over a network.
What is the difference between a server and a client?
In networking the two are defined by their roles: a server provides data, files, or services, while a client is the computer or program that requests and uses them. Your laptop's browser is a client asking for a web page; the machine that stores and sends that page is the server.
What are the types of servers?
Servers are usually named for the service they provide. Common types include web servers that deliver websites, file servers that store shared documents, database servers that manage data, mail servers that handle email, and game servers that host online play. One physical machine can run several of these roles at once.
What is the difference between a server and the cloud?
A server is a single computer or program providing services, whereas 'the cloud' refers to large networks of servers, usually run by big providers, that you access over the internet. Put simply, the cloud is made up of many servers housed in data centres, rented out instead of owned.
Can an ordinary computer be a server?
Yes. Any computer can act as a server if it runs software that provides data or services to others on a network. Dedicated servers are built for reliability, speed, and constant uptime, but a home desktop can host files, a website, or a game for other machines to connect to.
Example sentences
Sentences with a source are quoted from published work. Any opinions in them are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
The backup server takes over automatically if the main one goes offline.
The restaurant hired two extra servers for the Friday dinner rush.
The server refilled our water glasses without being asked.
A single server can host hundreds of small websites when each one gets only a little traffic.
Members of the fan community share art and news on a private server.
Building a server to order means choosing the processors, memory and drives yourself, then getting a UK quote and a lead time on that exact build.
From
Server Configurator
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