# reverse proxy

CEFR C2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reverse-proxy
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a server that sits in front of other servers to manage traffic and keep them safe. It takes requests from the internet and sends them to the right computer in a private network.

For teachers: a server that sits between client devices and a backend server, intercepting requests to provide load balancing, security, or caching. It acts as an intermediary for the server rather than the client.

## Examples

- The reverse proxy helps protect our website from hackers.
- By using a reverse proxy, the company can distribute incoming web traffic across multiple servers to prevent any single one from crashing.
- Implementing a reverse proxy allows administrators to handle SSL encryption at the edge of the network, thereby reducing the computational burden on the internal application servers.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the proxy reverse" but "the reverse proxy" — In English compound nouns, the modifier 'reverse' must come before the noun 'proxy'.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the context of web architecture and cybersecurity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.