The difference between Host and Hostage

When used as nouns, host means one which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially, whereas hostage means a person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.


Host is also verb with the meaning: to perform the role of a host.

check bellow for the other definitions of Host and Hostage

  1. Host as a noun:

    One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially.

    Examples:

    "A good host is always considerate of the guest’s needs."

  2. Host as a noun:

    One that provides a facility for an event.

  3. Host as a noun:

    A person or organization responsible for running an event.

    Examples:

    "Our company is host of the annual conference this year."

  4. Host as a noun:

    A moderator or master of ceremonies for a performance.

    Examples:

    "The host was terrible, but the acts themselves were good."

  5. Host as a noun (computing, Internet):

    Any computer attached to a network.

  6. Host as a noun (ecology):

    A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.

    Examples:

    "Viruses depend on the host that they infect in order to be able to reproduce."

  7. Host as a noun (evolution, genetics):

    An organism bearing certain genetic material.

    Examples:

    "The so-called junk DNA is known, so far, to provide no apparent benefit to its host."

  8. Host as a noun:

    A paid male companion offering conversation and in some cases sex, as in certain types of bar in Japan.

  1. Host as a verb:

    To perform the role of a host.

    Examples:

    "Our company will host the annual conference this year."

    "I was terrible at hosting that show."

    "I’ll be hosting tonight. I hope I’m not terrible."

  2. Host as a verb (obsolete, intransitive):

    To lodge at an inn.

  3. Host as a verb (computing, Internet):

    To run software made available to a remote user or process.

    Examples:

    "Kremvax hosts a variety of services."

  1. Host as a noun:

    A multitude of people arrayed as an army; used also in religious senses, as: Heavenly host (of angels)

  2. Host as a noun:

    A large number of items; a large inventory.

    Examples:

    "The dealer stocks a host of parts for my Model A."

  1. Host as a noun (Christianity):

    The consecrated bread or wafer of the Eucharist.

  1. Hostage as a noun:

    A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.

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