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.
Within two days, the bracelet was claimed by its owner, who gave the waiter a reward. Alex Scordelis, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 The hotel employee and local waiter who remain detained could face up to 15 years in prison, according to court documents. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025 According to police records, the famed Renaissance painter Caravaggio once attacked a waiter with a casserole and tried to stab him with a sword for not disclosing which of his artichokes were cooked in olive oil and which in butter. Tamar Adler, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025 One person created a GoFundMe to raise money for the waiter, and has raised over $9,550 exceeding its goal of $1,000. Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 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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