hostled

Hostled is a neologism that has appeared in online discussions and niche publications since the early 2020s. It functions as an adjective describing a process, system, or activity that is guided, controlled, or directed by a host or hosting entity rather than by distributed autonomy. There is no universally accepted definition, and meanings vary by context.

In technology, hostled describes architectures or workflows in which a central host orchestrates client actions or services. Examples include host-led orchestration in cloud environments or scenarios where a master node assigns tasks to worker nodes. In event planning and social settings, hostled refers to formats where the host designs activities, sets the agenda, and directs participation, as opposed to participant-led sessions. In biology or sociological discussions, hostled can describe interactions in which the host organism or organizer exerts influence over associated organisms or group behavior.

The term is informal and its precise scope depends on discipline. It is often contrasted with terms like hosted, hosting, or self-hosted, which refer to different relationships between host and participant or system. Because of its recent emergence, some editors and dictionaries have not adopted a formal definition, and usage may vary or evolve over time. See also: hosted, hosting, self-hosted, host-led.