hosting
UK[ˈhəʊstɪŋ]US[ˈhoʊstɪŋ]
n
the service of providing the computer equipment and software for a website on the internet and making it available for people to see
n
the act of providing the space, food, etc. for guests or for a special event
Morpheme Breakdown
host
ing
host
one who receives guests
ing
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'hosting' is built upon the root 'host', which has a rich history of denoting reciprocal hospitality. its ultimate source is the latin hospes, meaning both "host" and "guest", derived from the earlier proto-indo-european root ghos-pot-, meaning "master of guests". this root combines the notions of stranger (ghos-) and master/power (pot-), reflecting the ancient social duty of receiving outsiders. the modern english verb 'host' emerged from this noun, and the addition of the gerund/action noun suffix '-ing' creates a term for the act or service of performing the host's role. thus, from its ancient roots in sacred guest-friendship, 'hosting' now logically extends to both social entertainment and the digital provision of services to users.
Analysis
Structure: host (one who receives guests) + ing (noun suffix)
host (from old french hoste, from latin hospes meaning "guest, host, stranger"; functions as the core noun/verb root). ing (from old english -ung, -ing, a suffix forming verbal nouns; functions as a deverbal noun suffix indicating the action or result of the verb).
Examples
the company specializes in web hosting and domain registration.
we are grateful for their generous hosting of the annual conference.
she is responsible for the hosting of the foreign delegation next week.