attendant

An attendant is a person who attends to others, providing help, service, or support in a variety of settings. As an adjective, attendant describes something that accompanies or is connected with something else, such as attendant risks or attendant services.

Common roles include flight attendants who ensure passenger safety and comfort on aircraft, hotel attendants who assist guests with rooms and amenities, hospital or care attendants who aid patients and residents, and event or venue attendants who guide attendees. Attendants may perform duties such as greeting guests, providing information, carrying out safety procedures, transporting items, maintaining facilities, and coordinating services.

Etymology: attendant derives from attend, from Old French attendre and Latin attendere, meaning to give care or attention; the form with -ant developed in Middle English to denote a person who attends. In modern usage, the term is frequently used in compound job titles (flight attendant, train attendant) to denote a service professional, or as a generic label for staff providing assistance in particular settings. The term can also function as an adjective meaning accompanying or associated, as in attendant costs or attendant facilities.