Dictionary term
MCP Server
Agentic AIIntermediate
A program that exposes tools, resources, and prompts to AI applications over the Model Context Protocol so a client can discover and use them.
In plain English
A small program that offers an AI assistant a set of abilities and data, such as reading files or searching a database, in the standard MCP format.
Analogy
Like a power outlet on the wall: it offers capabilities in a standard shape that anything compatible can plug into.
Why it matters
Building or hosting an MCP server is how you make your own data and actions available to Claude in a reusable way.
In practice
A filesystem MCP server that exposes read_file and list_directory tools to Claude.
Related terms
Sources
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