Host OS (Operating System)

the operating system first installed on a computer which can run virtualization software to host one or more virtual machines. Compare to guest operating system.

The operating system hosting one or more virtual machines (or partitions) and sharing physical resources with them. It's where the virtualization product or the partitioning product is installed.

The operating system running directly on the host computer. VMware Workstation runs within the host operating system. See also Guest Operating System.