Definition

1. Noun:
   • A utensil used in serving food or drink: A "server" can refer to a tool or piece of equipment, such as a large spoon or fork, used to distribute food from a main dish to individual plates.
   • A computer that provides data or services to other computers: In computing, a "server" is a powerful computer or system that manages network resources, stores files, hosts websites, or provides services to other computers (called clients) on a network.
   • The player who serves the ball: In racket sports like tennis, badminton, or volleyball, the "server" is the player who puts the ball or shuttlecock into play to start a rally.
   • A person who serves at a table: A "server" is an individual whose job is to take orders and bring food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or similar establishment.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Use the pie server to cut and serve the dessert. (Utensil)
  • The company's email is hosted on a secure server. (Computer)
  • She is an excellent server with a very fast first serve. (Sports player)
  • Our server was very attentive and recommended a great wine. (Restaurant employee)

Advanced Usage

• "Server-side": Refers to operations or processes that are performed by the server in a client-server model, as opposed to the client's computer.

  • The application logic is handled server-side for better security.

• "Dedicated server": A single computer in a network reserved for serving the needs of the network, often for hosting websites or applications.

  • They rented a dedicated server to host their online game.

• "To be on serve": In tennis, a phrase indicating that a player is currently serving or that their serve is effective.

  • With her powerful serve, she is always tough to break when she is on serve.

Variants and Related Words

• Serve (verb): To perform the action associated with a server (e.g., to serve food, to serve a ball, to serve data).

  • He will serve the guests. / She will serve at 40-love.

• Servers (plural noun): The plural form of server.

  • The restaurant needs to hire more servers for the weekend.

• Serverless (adjective): A cloud computing model where the cloud provider manages the server infrastructure.

  • They built the application using a serverless architecture.

Synonyms

• Waiter/Waitress: A person who serves food and drinks at tables. (For the restaurant role)
• Host/Hostess: Can sometimes refer to the person who greets and seats guests, but not a direct synonym for the serving role.
• Provider: A general term for something that supplies a service. (For the computing context)
• Serving utensil: A tool for serving food. (For the utensil)

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• "To serve up": To provide or offer something, especially food, information, or entertainment.
  • The chef served up a delicious three-course meal.
  • The news channel served up the latest headlines.

Related Idioms

• "The server is down": A common idiom in computing meaning the server computer is not functioning or is unavailable.

  • I can't access the website; the server must be down.

• "To hold serve": In tennis, to win a game in which one is serving.

  • He managed to hold serve despite the pressure.

Noun

1. utensil used in serving food or drink
2. (computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network
3. (court games) the player who serves to start a point
4. a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)