proxy server
compound.compound. a computer that acts as a middleman between your device and the internet. It hides your real location and can help you access websites that might be blocked in your area.
compound. an intermediary server that sits between a client application and a destination server to facilitate requests. It functions by intercepting network traffic to provide anonymity, security, or administrative control over web access.
I use a proxy server to browse the internet more privately.
The company routes all employee internet traffic through a proxy server to block dangerous websites and monitor bandwidth usage.
By masking the client's original IP address, a proxy server allows researchers to bypass regional content restrictions and observe how localized algorithms display information across different jurisdictions.
A compound of the noun proxy, derived from the late Middle English procuracie, and the computing sense of server. The term reflects the traditional legal function of an agent authorised to act on behalf of another.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often shortened to 'proxy' in technical contexts.
Last updated July 22, 2026