Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hostess \Host"ess\, n. [OE. hostesse, ostesse. See {Host} a
   landlord.]
   1. A female host; a woman who hospitably entertains guests at
      her house. --Shak.

   2. A woman who entertains guests for compensation; a female
      innkeeper. --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

hostess
     n 1: a woman host
     2: a woman innkeeper
     3: a woman steward on an airplane [syn: {stewardess}, {air
        hostess}]