client-server
adjective
Simple meaning
About a computer system in which a central server supports a number of networked workstations.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
klyuhntsurverSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈklaɪəntˈsɝvɚ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
adjective
computing
Relating to a computer system in which a central server supports a number of networked workstations
computing
Describes computer software usually comprising a number of client modules, and a server module to which they are connected in some way. The clients make requests of the server; the server processes the requests and returns the results to the appropriate client.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient (estimated)
- Typical Use
- Rare
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
This meaning: Relating to a computer system in which a central server supports a number of networked workstations
Used this way, client-server is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.