client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: one that is under the protection of another : dependent

a first-rate power, able to defend her political clients in central and eastern Europe

—W. W. Kulski

2

a

: a person who engages the professional advice or services of another

a lawyer's clients

a personal trainer … enjoyed the challenges of helping clients buff up their bodies.

—S. K. Parks

b

: customer

hotel clients

a restaurant's clients

c

: a person served by or utilizing the services of a social agency

a welfare client

d

: a computer in a network that uses the services (such as access to files or shared peripherals) provided by a server

also : software that allows a computer to function as a client in a network

3

: client state

clientage

ˈklī-ən-tij 

noun

cliental

klī-ˈen-tᵊl  ˈklī-ən- 

adjective

clientless

ˈklī-ənt-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• account
• customer
• guest
• patron
• punter [chiefly British]

Examples of client in a Sentence

The accountant is meeting with another client right now, but she'll be able to see you later this afternoon.

a law firm soliciting new clients through television advertising

Recent Examples on the Web

Aaron Cash, one of Quinteros' attorneys, said his client was happy with the judge's decision. —Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024

This advantage means less time searching for clients, leads, and high-quality team members. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Alleged Violations of Due Process Attorney Jacob Candelaria, representing NNK Equity, disputed these charges, arguing that authorities violated his client's civil rights. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

His bucket list for potential clients is long (and includes stars like Lili Reinhart and Kasey Musgraves), but having the platform to support himself as an independent designer has made these kinds of projects possible. —Sara Belcher, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French client, from Latin client-, cliens; perhaps akin to Latin clinare to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing client

• client state

Kids Definition

client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: a person who uses the professional advice or services of another

2

: customer sense 1