What does cohost mean?
A cohost is someone who shares hosting duties for an event, broadcast, or gathering with one or more other people. The word functions as both a noun — 'she is the cohost of a popular radio show' — and a verb, meaning to host something jointly: 'they will cohost this year's awards ceremony.' Cohosting is common in television, radio, podcasts, conferences, and social occasions where responsibilities like introducing guests, guiding discussion, or managing proceedings are divided among presenters. The prefix 'co-' signals partnership and equality, distinguishing a cohost from a mere assistant: cohosts typically hold comparable standing and share both the work and the credit. Both spellings, 'cohost' and 'co-host,' are accepted, though the unhyphenated form is increasingly favored in American English. The term carries a neutral, professional connotation and appears frequently in media and entertainment contexts, making it a practical word for describing collaborative roles in modern public life.
A person who hosts an event, program, or gathering jointly with one or more others.
"As cohost of the evening news program, he handled the political interviews."
Often used in media contexts; may refer equally to any gender and to any number of joint hosts.
To act as joint host of an event, program, or occasion together with another person or people.
"The network announced that she would cohost the new talk show."
Regular verb inflections: cohosts, cohosted, cohosting.
Standard plural, used when referring to multiple people sharing hosting duties.
"The conference had three cohosts representing different departments."
The 'co-' in cohost comes from Latin for 'together' — so every time you say it, you're literally saying 'together-host.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cohost
The word cohost combines the Latin-derived prefix 'co-,' meaning 'together' or 'with,' with 'host,' which traces back through Old French 'hoste' to the Latin 'hospes' (genitive 'hospitis'), meaning a guest or one who receives guests. This same Latin root gave English related words such as hospitality, hospital, hostel, and hospice. As a compound, cohost arose much later than its components, gaining currency in the twentieth century alongside the growth of shared-billing formats in radio and television broadcasting.
Related word forms
How cohost is actually used
Both the closed spelling 'cohost' and hyphenated 'co-host' are widely accepted; 'cohost' is increasingly standard in American usage. The word is neutral in register and common in broadcasting, podcasts, and events.
Easily confused with cohost
A host runs an event alone, whereas a cohost shares the hosting duties with at least one other person.