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hosting

v. · n.
US //ˈhoʊstɪŋ// UK //hˈəʊstɪŋ// host·ing
  1. 1 organizing an event (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    the act of inviting people to an event and looking after them.

    the present participle of 'host', referring to the act of providing the venue and facilities for a social or professional event.

    Example

    Our school is hosting a big sports competition next month.

    Example

    By hosting the international summit, the city hoped to demonstrate its capacity for managing large-scale logistical challenges and high-security events.

    Usage

    As a verb, it is transitive and requires an object representing the event or guests.
  2. 2 internet services (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    a service that provides space on a computer so a website can be seen on the internet.

    the business or technical process of providing storage space and access for websites or applications on a server.

    Example

    We need to pay for our website hosting every year.

    Example

    The company migrated to a cloud-based hosting provider to ensure their platform could handle the sudden surge in user traffic.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun in a business context.
    • web hosting
    • server space
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  1. 3 a battle (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    an old word for a battle or a large group of soldiers.

    an obsolete term referring to an encounter between hostile forces or a military muster.

    Example

    The old stories tell of a great hosting on the fields of battle.

    Example

    The chronicler described the hosting of the clans, where thousands gathered under their respective banners to settle the long-standing border dispute.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is archaic and only found in historical or fantasy literature; modern speakers should use 'battle' or 'gathering'.

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