In a URL, the ________ is the particular Web server or group of Web servers that will respond to the Web request.

The host name in a URL specifically identifies the server or group of servers that will respond to a web request. It serves as a unique identifier for a device on the network, allowing web browsers to locate the correct server among millions of other devices on the internet.

When a user enters a URL into their browser, the host name is essential for directing the request to the appropriate web server. For instance, in the URL "https://www.example.com", the host name is "www.example.com", which indicates the specific web server that contains the website's resources.

In contrast, the domain name encompasses the host name along with other components, including the top-level domain, which describes the highest level of the domain hierarchy (like .com, .org, etc.). The client name does not pertain to the server identification in a URL, and while the top-level domain name indicates the category of the website, it does not direct traffic to a specific server. Thus, the host name is indeed the correct term for identifying the responding web server in a web address.