client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: one that is under the protection of another : dependent

a first-rate power, able to defend her political clients in central and eastern Europe

—W. W. Kulski

2

a

: a person who engages the professional advice or services of another

a lawyer's clients

a personal trainer … enjoyed the challenges of helping clients buff up their bodies.

—S. K. Parks

b

: customer

hotel clients

a restaurant's clients

c

: a person served by or utilizing the services of a social agency

a welfare client

d

: a computer in a network that uses the services (such as access to files or shared peripherals) provided by a server

also : software that allows a computer to function as a client in a network

3

: client state

clientage

ˈklī-ən-tij 

noun

cliental

klī-ˈen-tᵊl  ˈklī-ən- 

adjective

clientless

ˈklī-ənt-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• account
• customer
• guest
• patron
• punter [chiefly British]

Examples of client in a Sentence

The accountant is meeting with another client right now, but she'll be able to see you later this afternoon.

a law firm soliciting new clients through television advertising

Recent Examples on the Web

Most importantly, test your idea with beta clients before making big investments as this helps validate demand and refine your offer without financial risk. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Pattis, who is known for representing high-profile clients such as Infowars founder Alex Jones, was retained by Sarner and his girlfriend Emily Orbay in 2020 following their arrests by Stonington police in the July 2020 assault of 59-year-old Crystal Caldwell at the Quality Inn in Mystic. —Greg Smith, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025

Lastly, spear phishing attacks are a concern for tax professionals, as scammers impersonate clients to gain access to sensitive information and file fraudulent returns. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025

Investor confidence in the Dallas-area company is fraying, Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith told clients in a note on Thursday. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French client, from Latin client-, cliens; perhaps akin to Latin clinare to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing client

• client state

Rhymes for client

• giant
• pliant
• scient
• compliant
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant
• supergiant

Kids Definition

client

noun

cli·​ent ˈklī-ənt 

1

: a person who uses the professional advice or services of another

2

: customer sense 1