(1) A computer with access to other computers in a network. In this context, a host is a node in the network, e.g. a workstation or a printer. In a TCP/IP-based network like the Internet, each host has a unique IP address consisting of a network part and a host part;

(2) A mainframe computer or large server that provides services for “dumb” workstations (terminals) that are attached to the host;

(3) Verb: To host is to provide the hardware, software and communications infrastructure for computer services. A company can host a Web server.