Glossary · Hosting and delivery
Web server
Hardware and software that accept web requests and return pages, files, or application responses through HTTP.
Definition
A web server accepts HTTP requests from browsers and other clients. It may return a stored HTML file, route a request to application code, or generate a response from data. Static hosting can serve prepared files; dynamic applications may execute code for each request.
Why it matters
The server model affects maintenance, cost, performance, security responsibilities, and portability.
Common misunderstanding
The web server is not the domain name. DNS helps a browser find the service; the server responds after the request arrives.
Related terms
Related system family: Hosting & Release
Sources
- What is a web server? (opens in a new tab) · MDN Web Docs
- HTTP (opens in a new tab) · MDN Web Docs
Last reviewed July 16, 2026