host
HOHST
/hoʊst/
The person who organizes, initiates, and manages a virtual meeting, possessing primary administrative controls.
In video calling, the host holds central permissions such as muting participants, managing security, and creating breakout rooms.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'hospes', meaning both host and guest (reflecting ancient traditions of mutual hospitality). In modern computing, host expanded from hardware servers to individuals controlling digital rooms.
Word relationships
- organizer: 'Organizer' refers to planning the event beforehand, while 'host' emphasizes live control during the virtual meeting.
- guest: A guest is an invited attendee without administrative control over the call.
- participant: A participant attends the meeting without administrative rights.
Commonly confused with
- moderator: A host owns the room and administrative settings; a moderator manages flow and audience behavior during discussions.
Word family
- co-host (noun): A secondary host sharing administrative permissions in a call.
Collocations
- meeting host
- co-host
- host controls
- host a webinar
Example sentences
- "As the host of the meeting, she opened the waiting room and admitted participants one by one." Virtual event management
Memory hook
The HOST welcomes guests into their digital house. In charge of the call.
When not to use
Do not confuse host with guest or passive attendee.
Fun facts
- The root 'hospes' gives us host, guest, hospital, hotel, and hospitality all from one Latin source.
Related words
Explore more words
hospitality, hospitable, venue, sponsorship, accommodate, sponsor
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