Guest Definition and Legal Meaning
On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Guest, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.
What is Guest?
(n) Guest is the person utilizing the facilities available at a place, not being a person using them by virtue of his ownership, vocation or employment, whether for a price or not.
History and Meaning of Guest
Guests have been around since the beginning of civilization, with people staying over in each other's homes for various reasons. The term "guest" is used broadly to describe anyone who is using the facilities at a place where they do not own or work. It could be a person staying at a hotel, a visitor attending a party, or even someone who is using a public park or beach.
In the context of law, the term "guest" is often used to describe a person who is using a facility or property for a specific purpose (such as dining at a restaurant) and is not considered to be a tenant or occupant of the property. This distinction can be important for legal purposes, such as liability in the case of injury or damage.
Examples of Guest
- A person who books a room at a hotel and stays overnight is considered a guest of the hotel.
- A visitor attending a wedding reception at a venue is considered a guest of the wedding party.
- Someone using a public park for a picnic or recreation would be considered a guest of the park.
- A customer dining at a restaurant would be considered a guest of the restaurant.
Legal Terms Similar to Guest
- Tenant: A person who has possession or control of a property for a longer period of time, typically through a lease or rental agreement.
- Occupant: A person who is physically present on a property, but may not have legal possession or control.
- Invitee: A person who is invited to use a property for a specific purpose (such as a guest invited to a home for a party).