waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwā-tər 

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

Synonyms

• garçon
• server
• waitperson

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

The prosecutor’s office also announced that a hotel employee, identified as EDP, and a waiter, called BNP, were charged with supplying drugs. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025

Their sweet, smoky fragrance arrives before the waiter does. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025

Then the waiter comes over and asks if the roach would like to order dessert. —Charlie Dektar, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025

The Tea Room at L.S. Ayres The eighth floor of downtown department store L.S. Ayres & Co. was reserved for a luxurious dining experience for anyone who wanted to be served by waiters in crisp uniforms and clean their sticky fingers in bowls filled with water and rose petals. —Lilly St. Angelo, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing waiter

• wine waiter

Kids Definition

waiter

noun

wait·​er ˈwāt-ər 

: one that waits

especially : a person who waits tables (as in a restaurant)