server
/ˈsɜːvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɜːrvər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsər-vər/ (ame, mw)
server — noun
- serversingular
- serversplural
1. a powerful computer connected to other machines, designed to store shared inform
a powerful computer connected to other machines, designed to store shared information and provide access to files, websites, or email across the network — for example, a web server that delivers web pages to your browser.
Adina checked whether the server was running before sending the email.
The company's server stores all customer data in a secure location.
collocation: server stores data
When the server crashed, everyone in the office lost access to the shared files.
Emre configured the new server to handle up to five hundred users at once.
Our team set up a backup server to prevent data loss during power outages.
- client
the computer or device that receives data from a server
用法筆記
Commonly modified by the function it serves: web server, file server, email server, database server. The word is also used for the software that runs on such a computer.
常見錯誤
❌ 'My laptop is the server of my home network.' — 'My laptop acts as a server on my home network.' — A computer is not inherently a server; it can be set up to function as one.
❌ 'I need a new server computer.' — 'I need a new server.' — 'server' already implies the computer; adding 'computer' is redundant.
2. a tool such as a large spoon or fork that is used to put food onto plates when s
a tool such as a large spoon or fork that is used to put food onto plates when serving a meal at the table.
Amani used a small server to place slices of cake onto each plate.
collocation: cake server
The salad server has a wide, flat shape that makes it easy to lift lettuce.
Beatriz asked her daughter to bring the silver fish server from the drawer.
These wooden servers are perfect for mixing and serving rice at dinner.
- serving spoon
more common in everyday speech; 'server' is slightly more formal and often used for specialised utensils
- serving utensil
a broader term that also includes tongs, ladles, and other serving tools
用法筆記
Often preceded by the type of food it is designed for: cake server, salad server, pie server, cheese server. Can also be called a 'serving spoon' for simpler utensils.
常見錯誤
3. a person whose job is to bring food and drinks to customers at a restaurant tabl
a person whose job is to bring food and drinks to customers at a restaurant table and take their orders.
The server brought us water and menus shortly after we sat down.
David asked the server whether the soup contained any nuts or dairy.
collocation: ask the server
A friendly server recommended the grilled fish when we could not decide.
Sumin left the server a generous tip because the service was excellent.
The new server wore a white shirt and black trousers on her first day.
- waiter
more traditional term; often implies a male server
- waitress
female server; less common now in favour of gender-neutral 'server'
- food server
more explicit but less common in everyday use
用法筆記
This term is gender-neutral and increasingly preferred over 'waiter' or 'waitress'. Common in North American English; 'waiter' and 'waitress' remain frequent in British English.
常見錯誤
4. the player who hits the ball to begin play on each point in tennis, badminton, v
the player who hits the ball to begin play on each point in tennis, badminton, volleyball, or similar games.
The server hit the ball so hard that the receiver could not return it.
antonym pair: server vs receiver
As the server, Caleb won the first three points of the match.
sports sense: server = player who begins play
Theo is the strongest server on the school tennis team.
A good server can win many points just by making accurate first serves.
- serving player
more explicit but less concise; used mainly in formal descriptions of the rules
- receiver
the player who receives the serve
用法筆記
In tennis, players alternate as server and receiver each game. The server has an advantage because they control how the point starts.
常見錯誤
5. a person, often a child or teenager, who assists a religious leader during a wor
a person, often a child or teenager, who assists a religious leader during a worship service by carrying candles, holding books, or preparing items used in the ceremony.
The altar server handed the priest the chalice during the morning service.
collocation: altar server
Amira volunteered to be a server at her local church every Sunday.
The young server lit the candles before the congregation arrived.
Each server walked slowly down the aisle carrying a cross or a candle.
- altar server
more specific and more commonly used than 'server' alone in this sense
- acolyte
a more formal term; often used for older or trained servers
用法筆記
Also called altar server or acolyte. This role is common in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. The term 'server' alone may be unfamiliar to non-religious learners.