servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt How to pronounce servant (audio)
: one that serves others
a public servant
especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer
servanthood noun
servantless adjective

Examples of servant in a Sentence

the wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them
Recent Examples on the Web In a Season 1 finale twist, a character introduced to Daniel as Louis’ servant Rashid had been revealed to be Armand, the apparent love of Louis’ life and his partner of nearly eight decades. Judy Berman, TIME, 1 July 2024 But her servant isn’t the only one who randomly turns into an animal on occasion. Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 27 June 2024 My parents were forced to discharge my nanny because Jews were no longer permitted to employ non-Jewish servants. Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2024 The narrative sees her join forces with servants and African slaves seeking freedom. Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for servant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'servant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English servant, sarvaunt "person serving a master or lord, retainer, attendant," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from past participle of servir "to be in attendance on, serve entry 1"

Note: Compare sergeant.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of servant was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near servant

Cite this Entry

“Servant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/servant. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

servant

noun
ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt How to pronounce servant (audio)
: one that serves others
especially : a person hired to perform household or personal services
Etymology

Middle English servant "servant," from early French servant (same meaning), from a form of servir "to serve," from Latin servire "to be a slave, serve," from servus "slave, servant" — related to serf

Legal Definition

servant

noun
ser·​vant
: a person who serves others: as
a
: an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer
b
: a person in the employ and subject to the direction or control of an individual or company see also respondeat superior compare agent, master

More from Merriam-Webster on servant

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