Host vs. Hostage — What's the Difference?

One who receives or entertains guests in a social or official capacity.

A hostage is a person seized by an abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a certain way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum. The 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica defines a hostage as "a person who is handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war." Hostage taking is now considered a criminal activity.

A person who manages an inn or hotel.

A person held by one party in a conflict as security that specified terms will be met by the opposing party.

One that furnishes facilities and resources for a function or event

One that serves as security against an implied threat

The emcee or interviewer on a radio or television program.

One that is under the constraining control of another

An organism on which or in which another organism lives.

A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.

A cell that has been infected by a virus or other infective agent.

A person seized in order to compel another party to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way, because of the threat of harm to the hostage.

(Medicine) The recipient of a transplanted tissue or organ.

Something that constrains one's actions because it is at risk.

A computer or other device providing data or services that a remote computer can access by means of a network or modem.

One who is compelled by something, especially something that poses a threat; one who is not free to choose their own course of action.

A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network such as the internet.

The condition of being held as security or to compel someone else to act or not act in a particular way.

An army.

To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).

A great number; a multitude.

To hold (someone or something) hostage, especially in a way that constrains or controls the person or thing held, or in order to exchange for something else.

The consecrated bread or wafer of the Eucharist.

A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.

To serve as host to or at

A prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms

To provide software that offers data or services, hardware, or both over a computer network.

One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially.

One that provides a facility for an event.

A person or organization responsible for running an event.

A moderator or master of ceremonies for a performance.

Any computer attached to a network.

(ecology) A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.

An organism bearing certain genetic material, with respect to its cells.

A paid male companion offering conversation and in some cases sex, as in certain types of bar in Japan.

A multitude of people arrayed as an army; used also in religious senses, as: Heavenly host (of angels)

A large number of items; a large inventory.

(Christianity) The consecrated bread of the Eucharist.

To perform the role of a host.

To lodge at an inn.

To run software made available to a remote user or process.

The consecrated wafer, believed to be the body of Christ, which in the Mass is offered as a sacrifice; also, the bread before consecration.

An army; a number of men gathered for war.

Any great number or multitude; a throng.

One who receives or entertains another, whether gratuitously or for compensation; one from whom another receives food, lodging, or entertainment; a landlord.

Any animal or plant affording lodgment or subsistence to a parasitic or commensal organism. Thus a tree is a host of an air plant growing upon it.

To give entertainment to.

To lodge at an inn; to take up entertainment.

A person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

A vast multitude

An animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; the host does not benefit and is often harmed by the association

A person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)

Archaic terms for army

Any organization that provides resources and facilities for a function or event;

(medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a donor

The owner or manager of an inn

A technical name for the bread used in the service of Mass or Holy Communion

(computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network

Be the host of or for;