---
term: "MCP server"
category: "Agent protocols"
url: https://agenticopenfinance.com/glossary/mcp-server
source: AgenticOpenFinance glossary
---

# MCP server

> A service that exposes resources, prompts and tools to AI applications through the Model Context Protocol.

In the Model Context Protocol, a server is a service that provides context and capabilities to AI applications, exposing any combination of resources, prompts and tools. A bank or fintech might run a server that offers read-only account data as resources and a payment-draft function as a tool. For servers reached over HTTP, the specification defines an authorisation framework based on OAuth, so the server can require tokens with appropriate scopes rather than open access.

Related terms: [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://agenticopenfinance.com/glossary/model-context-protocol.md), [MCP resource](https://agenticopenfinance.com/glossary/mcp-resource.md), [Tool use](https://agenticopenfinance.com/glossary/tool-use.md), [OAuth 2.0](https://agenticopenfinance.com/glossary/oauth-2.md)