A server is a computer that provides information or services to other computers. When you visit a website, you're actually connecting to a server somewhere that sends the webpage to your device. Think of it like a librarian: you ask for a book (by typing a web address), and the server finds it and delivers it to you.

Large companies run thousands of servers in huge buildings called data centers. These servers work constantly, answering millions of requests every day. When you search for something online, watch a video, or play an online game, servers are working behind the scenes to make it happen. If a popular website's servers go down or stop working, nobody can access that site until they're fixed.

The word also means a person who brings food and drinks to customers in a restaurant. A server takes your order, delivers your meal, and makes sure you have what you need. Good servers remember details, work efficiently during busy times, and help create a pleasant dining experience.

In some sports like tennis and volleyball, the server is the player who puts the ball in play by hitting or throwing it to start each point. A powerful server in tennis can win points quickly with fast, accurate serves.