The hostess at a party is the woman who has invited the guests and provides the food, drink, or entertainment.
The hostess introduced them.
She was a superb hostess to us all.
2. countable noun
A hostess at a night club or dance hall is a woman who is paid by a man to be with him for the evening.
hostess in British English
(ˈhəʊstɪs)
noun
1.
a woman acting as host
2.
a woman who receives and entertains patrons of a club, restaurant, etc
3. air hostess
hostess in American English
(ˈhoustɪs)
noun
1.
a woman who receives and entertains guests in her own home or elsewhere
2.
a woman employed in a restaurant or place of amusement to receive, seat, or assist patrons
3.
a woman who acts as master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for a television or radio program; host
4.
a woman employed by an airline, railroad, bus company, etc., to see that passengers are comfortable throughout a trip, usually receiving and seating them, and sometimes serving them refreshments
5.
a woman who manages a resort or hotel or who directs its social activities
6. See taxi dancer
transitive verb
7.
to be the hostess at (a reception, dinner, etc.)
She will hostess a shower for the new bride
8.
to act as hostess at, to, or for
She volunteered to hostess the garden club next season
intransitive verb
9.
to perform the duties or functions of a hostess
Derived forms
hostess-ship
noun
Word origin
[1250–1300; ME (h)ostesse ‹ OF. See host1, -ess]
hostess in Hospitality
(hoʊstɪs)
Word forms: (plural) hostesses
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Restaurant, personnel)
The hostess of a hotel is a woman who has overall responsibility for the way the hotel operates.
As the hostess, she has overall responsibility for the way the hotel operates.
The hostess is often the first person a hotel guest meets.
The hostess will ensure that you are comfortable during your stay.
Examples of 'hostess' in a sentence
hostess
The boss has come as an air hostess.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We were sitting opposite air hostesses, who apologised and asked us to wait for the seatbelt signs to be turned off before they could assist.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was trying my hardest to stay incognito, but then the air hostesses came over and wanted a photo.
The Sun (2016)
The air host or hostess will come and help you.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
She was looking for work as a dancer and nightclub hostess.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Loads of air hostesses are based here.
The Sun (2009)
What if you get invited to a dinner party and the hostess asks you to take off your shoes?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Where have the society hostesses gone?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Who's the best dinner party hostess?
The Sun (2011)
The 20-year-old nightclub hostess had been declared missing before she called her family home.
The Sun (2014)
She is 24 and she had a great job as an air hostess.
The Sun (2015)
Party hostesses need to leave a clear run-up to their cheek.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Offers of marriage arrived in the post along with party invitations from hostesses who were smitten with his blend of notoriety and camp.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I figured these club hostesses have certain skills.
The Sun (2013)
I was looking for any way to make money and saw an ad for nightclub hostesses.
The Sun (2010)
A society hostess would have thrown at least two parties a week like this for up to 20 guests.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I escaped and was on the run, working as a nightclub hostess and moving from hotel to hotel.
The Sun (2013)
News had also leaked of his intention to marry a dance hostess from the Bag of Nails.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Other traders paid for a trip to Thailand, sent him cases of champagne and picked up the bills from hostess bars and restaurants.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But she was admired also for her tireless work in a number of other roles - society hostess, patron of the arts and charity worker.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
hostess
British English: hostess NOUN
The hostess at a party is the woman who has invited the guests and provides the food, drinks, or entertainment.