waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwā-tər How to pronounce waiter (audio)
1
: one that waits on another
especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)
2
: a tray on which something (such as a tea service) is carried : salver

Examples of waiter in a Sentence

waiters at that elegant restaurant must go through an extended training program before being allowed to serve customers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My first decent job was as a waiter at Oliver’s Bakery Restaurant in Toronto. Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 With a delicate flower tucked behind her ear, the dog sits patiently as a waiter walks past, seemingly unnoticed. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 These sketches might have seemed to take aim at overly flirty waiters and Facebook conspiracy theories. Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025 The other two people allegedly involved in the singer’s demise — another hotel employee and a waiter — remained in pretrial detention. Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for waiter

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of waiter was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Waiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waiter. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

waiter

noun
wait·​er ˈwāt-ər How to pronounce waiter (audio)
: one that waits
especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)

More from Merriam-Webster on waiter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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