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

This often involves thinking through how to better create bundled go to market strategies that enable selling more things to existing clients, versus consistently needing to acquire new ones. —Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

Suits Vet Visits Spinoff, Dark Matter Promotion and More Suits Star Rick Hoffman Returning as Louis Litt on NBC Spinoff Amos played himself in the spinoff’s Feb. 23, 2025 debut, which introduced him as a client at the entertainment law firm run by Stephen Amell’s Ted Black. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025

Coburn shared entertaining stories from her fascinating life and legendary career spanning more than four decades and includes clients such as Disney, the Wynn Resorts, and Legoland. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

Horner’s attorney released a statement stating that his client apologizes for what transpired. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for client

• giant
• pliant
• scient
• compliant
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant
• supergiant

Kids Definition

client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

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

2

: customer sense 1