item

1 of 3

noun

ˈī-təm 

1

: a distinct part in an enumeration, account, or series : article

2

: an object of attention, concern, or interest

3

: a separate piece of news or information

4

: a couple in a romantic or sexual relationship

5

obsolete : warning, hint

item

2 of 3

adverb

ˈī-ˌtem  ˈī-təm 

: and in addition : also

—used to introduce each article in a list or enumeration

item

3 of 3

verb

ˈī-təm 

itemed; iteming; items

transitive verb

1

archaic : compute, reckon

2

archaic : to set down the particular details of

Synonyms

Noun

• detail
• particular
• point

Choose the Right Synonym for item

item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole.

item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

Examples of item in a Sentence

Noun

There are several items for sale.

I need to buy a few household items like soap.

He always orders the most expensive item on the menu.

There are a lot of items on our agenda tonight, so let's start the meeting.

I saw an item in today's paper about the mayor's campaign plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The gift is one of the most in-demand items in the auction, with a current bid of £2,750 ($3,450). —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

Kru items can also be found in Elk Grove’s Sky River Casino, and along with Kodaiko, at The Line ghost kitchen in East Sacramento. —Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

Prior cases, Jackson said, have determined that search warrants in newsrooms must be narrowly tailored to specific items related to the alleged crime. —Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Some of the more common items that move through the warehouse are crock pots, air fryers, paper towels, toilet paper, dog food and cat food, Abundis said. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

None of the items allowed for seamless apples to apples comparisons. —Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

Ducking out of the rain at James Madison Academic Campus, Ricky Bridges said the most important item on the ballot for him was the MPS referendum. —Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024

Unscrupulous sellers paste the any logo on phony glasses, even if the item has not been properly tested. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024

Image The World Central Kitchen logo could be seen on items inside the charred interior of the northernmost and southernmost cars. —Michael Levenson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Verb

Member credits can be redeemed for any two-piece outfit or item up to $80, online or in store. —Sarah Madaus, SELF, 29 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Latin, from ita thus

First Known Use

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing item

• line item
• line-item veto
• collector's item

Kids Definition

item

noun

ˈīt-əm

1

: a separate part in a list, account, or series

2

: a brief piece of news or an article reporting it

Legal Definition

item

noun

ˈī-təm 

1

: a distinct part in an enumeration, account, or series

2

: a financial instrument (as a check or draft)