No-host Definition & Meaning

American

Usage

Examples

no-host American [noh-hohst] / ˈnoʊˌhoʊst /

adjective

Chiefly Western U.S.

1. requiring patrons and guests to pay a fee for attendance or to pay for any food and drink they consume.

   a no-host cocktail party; a no-host dinner-dance.

Usage

What does no-host mean? No-host describes an event, such as a party, at which the guests must pay for their own food and drink or pay an entry fee.A Western US term, no-host is almost always used in reference to a party or similar event at which attendees pay to enter or pay for any food or drink they consume. You might go to a no-host dinner, a no-host networking event, a no-host dance—any type of event that requires you to pay to enter or for food and drink or both. Sometimes no-host is used more literally to describe an event that lacks a host, especially an event that usually has a host. The 2019 Academy Awards didn’t have a host and was commonly described as a no-host award show. Example: I got invited to some fancy no-host party for Independence Day, but I don’t know if I have the money for another one of these.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And unusual choices — remember the no-host Emmys of 2019 or the 2008 disaster of the reality-show hosts? — can be perilous.

From Los Angeles Times

Adults will take over the entire Seattle Aquarium for this spooky event, featuring disc jockeys, live music, a costume contest, opportunities to experience aquarium habitats at night, Halloween-themed activities, a no-host bar, food available for purchase and more.

From Seattle Times

Adults will take over Seattle Aquarium at this 21-and-older event featuring a disc jockey, drag performances, opportunities to explore marine habitats at night, a no-host bar, food available for purchase and more.

From Seattle Times

Invitations come with the term “no-host,” which invitees are supposed to surmise means they’re paying for their own meal.

From Washington Post

Although the SAG Awards will continue its no-host tradition, “Hamilton” stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs and Leslie Odom Jr. are confirmed to open tonight’s ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.