host
host — verb
- hostpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hosts3rd person singular
- hosting-ing form
- hostedpast simple
1. to provide a place, food, drinks, and other things needed for a social event or
to provide a place, food, drinks, and other things needed for a social event or celebration that you organize
Minh hosted a Lunar New Year dinner for forty relatives at her house.
host + [event] for [number] + [people] at [place]
The city decided to host the international music festival in the central park.
host + the [event] in [place]
Wei and his neighbours hosted a bake sale to raise money for the local library.
Our company is hosting a charity gala next month to support children's hospitals.
Layla hosted her sister's wedding reception in the garden behind the old farmhouse.
- attend
to go as a guest rather than the person organising and providing
文法句型
host + [event] for [people]
host + [event] at [place]
用法筆記
Frequently used with events such as parties, conferences, weddings, and dinners. The subject is typically a person, a family, an organization, or a venue that provides the space and resources.
常見錯誤
2. to act as the main presenter for a broadcast show, introducing guests and guidin
to act as the main presenter for a broadcast show, introducing guests and guiding the audience through each segment
Since 2018, Diego has hosted a weekly sports show on a national radio network.
hosted + [frequency] + [type of show] on [network]
The network is looking for someone young and energetic to host its new music programme.
Élise hosted the school talent competition for three years before graduating.
Indra was asked to host the charity telethon after the previous presenter retired.
- guest
to appear on a show without being the main presenter
文法句型
host + [type of programme]
host + [programme] on [channel/network]
用法筆記
The subject is always a person filling a presenter role (e.g. a journalist, a comedian, a known personality). Not used for one-time guest appearances.
常見錯誤
3. to create and run a virtual meeting or video call where participants join using
to create and run a virtual meeting or video call where participants join using their computers or phones
Kabir hosted a video call with colleagues in four different countries.
host + a video call with [number] + [group]
The project manager hosted an online meeting to discuss the new deadlines.
Our team hosts a weekly video conference every Monday morning.
Tariro hosted a virtual workshop where participants shared their screens.
- join
to participate as an attendee rather than the person managing the meeting
文法句型
host + a [meeting type] with [people]
host + [platform] call
用法筆記
Often used with specific platform names: 'host a Zoom call', 'host a Teams meeting'. Common in workplace and educational settings. The person hosting typically controls screen-sharing, muting, and participant access.
4. to supply the computer services, storage space, and technical support that keep
to supply the computer services, storage space, and technical support that keep a website running and accessible online
A small company in Taipei hosts the website for that local newspaper.
Min hosts three online stores on the same server.
hosts + [number] + [websites/stores] on [server]
The university hosts its student portal on a secure private server.
A personal blog can be hosted with a shared plan for a low monthly fee.
- serve
technical; focuses on the server delivering the content rather than the administrative arrangement
文法句型
host + [website] on [server]
be hosted by [company]
用法筆記
Very common in the passive voice, especially in technical descriptions: 'the site is hosted by Amazon Web Services'. The subject can be a company, a computer system, or an individual managing their own server.
常見錯誤
host — noun
- hostsingular
- hostsplural
1. a person who welcomes friends, family, or other visitors into their home or at a
a person who welcomes friends, family, or other visitors into their home or at a social event, providing food, drink, company, and making sure their guests feel comfortable
Ayana offered drinks and snacks to every one of her dinner party guests.
countable: someone's host
As a good host, Christopher made sure everyone at the barbecue had enough food.
Roya thanked her host for the lovely weekend stay and the delicious homemade meals.
The museum director was the official host for the visiting scholars from Japan.
Our wedding host made sure every guest found their seat before the ceremony began.
- hostess
specifically a female host; less common in modern use
- party giver
informal and less common; focuses on the act of throwing a party
- guest
the person who is invited, not the one doing the inviting
文法句型
someone's host
the host of + event
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive: 'my host', 'our host', 'the host's responsibility'.
常見錯誤
2. a person whose job is to introduce each guest and performer, guide the conversat
a person whose job is to introduce each guest and performer, guide the conversation, and keep the show moving on a television program, radio broadcast, or podcast
The radio host asked the singer about her new album and upcoming tour dates.
radio host + noun phrase
Tamar is the host of a popular morning show that interviews famous actors.
the host of [show]
The TV host introduced the dancers and the comedy act for Saturday night.
Marta watched as the podcast host welcomed a scientist to discuss ocean pollution.
Sayaka wants to become a show host because she enjoys talking to new people.
文法句型
TV / radio / podcast host
host of [show name]
常見錯誤
3. a person who starts and manages a group video call or online meeting, controllin
a person who starts and manages a group video call or online meeting, controlling the agenda, who speaks, and what content is shared on screen
The video call host shared her screen to show the team the new design.
compound noun: video call host
Ari muted all participants before the host began the online training session.
The meeting host divided the forty coworkers into five smaller discussion rooms.
Marco asked the meeting host if he could record the presentation for later.
The web conference host could see a list of attendee names on the screen.
- organizer
focuses on planning the meeting rather than running the technology
- participant
someone who joins the meeting but does not control it
文法句型
meeting host
host of the call
用法筆記
The host controls technical features like muting, screen sharing, and breakout rooms — distinct from a participant who just joins.
常見錯誤
4. a city, country, organization, or building that agrees to hold a large public ev
a city, country, organization, or building that agrees to hold a large public event such as a conference, sports competition, or festival, supplying the space, equipment, and services needed
The city of Paris was the host of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
the host of [event]
That convention center often serves as the host for trade shows and industry meetings.
serve as the host for
Élise's company volunteered to be the host of the annual charity gala this year.
The university acted as host for the international science fair last March.
The museum agreed to be the host for the traveling art exhibition next spring.
文法句型
be the host for [event]
host of [event]
serve as host
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (a person), this sense is used for entities — cities, countries, institutions, or buildings that provide the setting for an event.
5. a living creature, such as a plant, animal, or human body, that provides food an
a living creature, such as a plant, animal, or human body, that provides food and shelter for a smaller organism called a parasite that lives on or inside it
The dog was the host for ticks that fed on its blood during summer walks.
host for [parasite]
A healthy host plant can survive with a few small insects living on its leaves.
The scientist studied how the parasite enters its host without causing immediate harm.
Certain worms can live inside a human host for several years without being noticed.
The cat became the host for fleas after playing outside in the garden shed.
- carrier
a person or animal that has a disease but may not show symptoms; not the same as a host for a parasite
- parasite
the organism that lives on or inside the host
文法句型
host for/to [parasite]
host organism
用法筆記
In biology, the host is often harmed by the parasite, though some host-parasite relationships involve little or no damage to the host.
6. a very large collection of individuals or items coming together in one place, ap
a very large collection of individuals or items coming together in one place, appearing at once, or existing as a group
A host of reporters gathered outside the courthouse waiting for the verdict.
a host of + plural noun
The town faced a host of problems after the flood damaged roads and homes.
A host of new restaurants have opened in the old market district this year.
The charity received a host of donations from people across the country.
Visitors to the garden saw a host of butterflies among the wildflowers.
- handful
a very small number
文法句型
a host of + plural noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'a host of' followed by a plural noun. The verb that follows can be singular or plural depending on region — British English often uses plural ('a host of problems have'), while American English sometimes uses singular ('a host of problems has').
常見錯誤
7. a large army organised for combat, or a disciplined group that resembles an army
a large army organised for combat, or a disciplined group that resembles an army in its strength and unified purpose.
The emperor's host marched for three days across the dry plain.
archaic: a large army
The Roman host marched north toward the border fortress under a grey sky.
archaic: a large organised army
A host of firefighters advanced with ladders toward the burning warehouse.
Nikos compared the crowd of fans to a host preparing for battle.
文法句型
host + of + [group noun]
用法筆記
Often used in formal or literary contexts. When referring to a non-military group, the focus is on the group acting with a shared purpose rather than a mere large number.
8. in Christian worship, the consecrated bread that believers receive during the Co
in Christian worship, the consecrated bread that believers receive during the Communion service, understood to hold sacred meaning.
The priest lifted the host above the altar and said a prayer.
Christian ceremony: the consecrated bread
Joon knelt at the rail and received the host for the first time.
collocation: receive the host
A small golden box behind the altar held the reserved host.
Xiu's grandmother explained the meaning of the host during Easter mass.
- communion wafer
more specific to the thin, round form of the bread used in many Western Christian traditions
- sacrament
broader term covering the whole rite, not just the bread
- Eucharist
refers to the entire sacrament; 'host' refers specifically to the consecrated bread itself
文法句型
the Host
receive the host
bless the host
用法筆記
Often capitalised as 'the Host' in formal or liturgical writing. In many Christian traditions, the host is considered sacred and is handled only by clergy or authorised ministers.
常見錯誤
9. a company that supplies the computer systems and services needed for a website t
a company that supplies the computer systems and services needed for a website to be accessible on the internet.
The website kept crashing, so the owner switched to a different host.
computing: a website-hosting company
Otis checked whether his host supported the latest version of the software.
collocation: host + supports
A reliable web host can make your site load much faster for visitors.
Vivek chose a host that offered free backups and daily security updates.
- web hosting provider
a more formal, full term for the same concept
- server
can refer to the physical machine rather than the service company
- hosting service
emphasises the service rather than the company as a business entity
文法句型
host + [verb phrase: offers/provides/supports]
用法筆記
In everyday usage, 'host' in this sense is often shortened to 'web host' or 'hosting company'. The technical term 'host' can also refer to the physical server computer rather than the company.