waiter

[ wey-ter ]

noun

1. a person, especially a man, who waits on tables, as in a restaurant.
2. a tray for carrying dishes, a tea service, etc.; salver.
3. a person who waits or awaits.
4. Obsolete. an attendant.

verb (used without object)

1. to work or serve as a waiter:

   to waiter in a restaurant.

waiter

/ ˈweɪtə /

noun

1. a man whose occupation is to serve at table, as in a restaurant
2. an attendant at the London Stock Exchange or Lloyd's who carries messages: the modern equivalent of waiters who performed these duties in the 17th-century London coffee houses in which these institutions originated
3. a person who waits
4. a tray or salver on which dishes, etc, are carried

Gender Note

See -person.

Other Words From

• waiter·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waiter¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; wait, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Though entrepreneurs can hire others to join their business—a restaurant owner can employ waiters, for example, or a taxi owner can let others drive their car—they cannot get legal recognition for their business as a company.

From Time

While it’s difficult to get exact numbers of their contribution to the economy, these workers keep Jackson running by filling jobs in all sectors, from house cleaners and construction workers to cooks and waiters.

From Time

As digital ordering gains ground, robot waiters and chefs are likely not far behind.

From Singularity Hub 

The latest example is a new service from payment giant Square that reduces social interactions by eliminating many tasks performed by a waiter.

From Fortune

We were then surprised when a waiter came over, poured us water, and asked what we wanted to drink.

From Eater

“If you are a waiter, you can make twice as much in Austin relative to Flint,” remarked Moretti.

From The Daily Beast

A waiter brings out some fresh pretzels and homemade pork and wine sausages.

From The Daily Beast

Here, breakfast begins with a crusty cornetto alla crema served by a formal, dinner jacket-wearing waiter.

From The Daily Beast

He was Russel Rebello, a 33-year-old ship waiter from India who deserves to be recovered so his family can have closure.

From The Daily Beast

In Chobits, hapless waiter Hideki ends up purchasing a “persocom,” an android called Chi, and slowly falls in love with her.

From The Daily Beast

He was dressed like a waiter, and he looked like one—a regular City waiter, you know.

From Project Gutenberg

“Let us have some of your best wine to-day, waiter,” said old Wardle, rubbing his hands.

From Project Gutenberg

He sealed the letter, addressing it to Cannes; called a waiter, late as it was, and desired him to post it.

From Project Gutenberg

"Lettres et journal pour monsieur," interrupted a waiter, entering with two letters and the Times.

From Project Gutenberg

A pedantic fellow called for a bottle of hock at a tavern, which the waiter, not hearing distinctly, asked him to repeat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• server
• waitperson
• waitress