A server is a computer designed to provide services or resources to other computers or devices on a network. It acts like a central hub or a kind of 'middleman' that helps different devices communicate with each other and access the same resources.

For example, if you want to access a website on the internet, your computer sends a request to a server that hosts the website, sending the web page back to your computer so you can view it. Similarly, if you want to share files with someone on your office network, you might save the files on a file server from which other people on the network can access and download.

Servers can come in many different forms and serve many functions, such as hosting websites, managing email, storing data, or running applications. They are typically more powerful than regular desktop computers or laptops and are designed to be always on and accessible to other devices on the network.