server

Everyday

1. A server is a powerful computer that stores websites, files, games or emails and sends them to other computers over the internet or a network. tree →
2. A server is a person who brings food and drink to people in a restaurant or café; a waiter or waitress. tree →
3. In tennis and similar games, the server is the player who hits the ball to start a point. tree →
4. A server can also be a spoon or tool for putting food on plates. tree →

In the lessons

In computing lessons pupils learn that when you visit a website, your device asks a server for the page; game servers connect online players. In everyday life a server takes your order in a restaurant (common in the USA). In sport the server starts each point. Phrases: «the server is down», «game server», «school server», «salad servers».

Examples

• The website is not working because the server is down. tree →
• Our school saves our work on the school server. tree →
• The server brought us our pizzas. tree →
• In tennis, the server gets two tries to hit the ball in. tree →
• We joined the same game server to play together. tree →
• Always thank the server when they bring your food. tree →
• Every email you send passes through a server. tree →
• Use the salad servers, not your fingers. tree →
• But, for the moment, the great room was seated, and the doors were held to allow a moment of respect to pass before the servers and squires came in. tree →

Note

Countable: «a server». From «serve» plus «-er». In the USA «server» is a common word for a waiter or waitress. Online safety: game servers can have strangers on them, so do not share personal information.