Host
- Pronunciation
- /hohst/
- Category
- Ecology
- Singular
- Host
- Plural
- Hosts
Definition
An organism that provides sustenance or shelter for a parasite or another organism, often to its own detriment.
Etymology
From Middle English 'host' via Old French 'hoste', from Latin 'hospes', meaning 'guest' or 'host'.
Example
The aphid is a common host for the parasitic wasp Lysiphlebus testaceipes.
Synonyms
- Carrier
- Bearer
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Hosts can range from plants and insects to mammals, and their interaction with parasites can have significant ecological impacts.