hostess

1 of 2

noun

host·​ess ˈhō-stəs 

1

: a woman who entertains socially

2

a

: a woman in charge of a public dining room who seats diners

b

: a female employee on a public conveyance (such as an airplane) who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers

c

: a woman who acts as a partner or companion to male patrons in a dance hall or bar

hostess

2 of 2

verb

hostessed; hostessing; hostesses

intransitive verb

: to act as hostess

transitive verb

: to serve as hostess to

Examples of hostess in a Sentence

Noun

We were greeted by our hostess.

She's the hostess of a popular talk show.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

James Woods stars as a sleazy TV executive in search of the ultimate ratings grab, alongside Blondie's Debbie Harry as the seductive hostess of the titular broadcast. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024

These products, which also make great hostess gifts or stocking stuffers, embody the scents of the season and are a true nod to Christmas. —Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

After all, arriving with a thoughtful gift is the perfect way to say thank you to the host or hostess for their invitation. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hostesse, ostesse "woman who receives guests, female innkeeper," borrowed from Anglo-French, from oste, hoste "host, guest" + -esse -ess — more at host entry 1

Verb

derivative of hostess entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing hostess

• air hostess
• co-hostess
• hostess with the mostest

Kids Definition

hostess

noun

host·​ess

ˈhō-stəs

: a woman who acts as host

especially : one who greets and provides service for diners in a restaurant or passengers on an airplane or ship

hostess verb