A client generally means a person, including a public officer, corporation, association or other organization or entity, either public or private, who is rendered services by a service provider, or who consults a service provider with an intention of obtaining services from him/her.
For example, in the context of the attorney-client relationship, some argue that you become a "client" of an attorney, at least for the purpose of obtaining privilege, as soon as you talk to an attorney about your case and regardless of whether you retain him or pay him/her.
