Glossary · AI and language-model infrastructure
MCP server
A program that exposes a defined set of MCP tools, resources, or prompts to an approved MCP client.
Definition
An MCP server advertises capabilities through the protocol. It may run locally as a process or remotely over HTTP. A server can wrap file access, databases, APIs, search systems, or business operations, but it should expose only what its purpose and permissions require.
Why it matters
A narrow server boundary can make powerful automation understandable, testable, and replaceable.
Common misunderstanding
The word server does not imply a public machine. A local MCP server can run on the same computer as the client, while a remote server can run elsewhere.
Related terms
Related system family: Operations & Automation
Sources
- Model Context Protocol architecture overview (opens in a new tab) · Model Context Protocol
Last reviewed July 16, 2026