list

1 of 9

noun (1)

1
a
: a simple series of words or numerals (such as the names of persons or objects)
a guest list
b
: an official roster : roll
drawing up a list for … party nominationRichard Scammon
2
: catalog, checklist
The song jumped to the top of the hit list.
3
: the total number to be considered or included
add spelling reform to his list of interestsW. B. Shaw

list

2 of 9

verb (1)

listed; listing; lists

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a list of : enumerate
She began listing places she wanted to travel.
Can you list three former U.S. presidents?
Please list the medicines you currently take.
b
: to add (someone or something) to a list : register
They listed their property (for sale).
The animal has now been officially listed as endangered.
He listed messiness as a pet peeve.
c
: to have or show a list of
This guide lists simple tips for operating your fire pit better …Brian Bennet
… put up eight huge electronic billboards listing gate information for flights to and from nearly 20 cities …Bridget O'Brian
The database lists people who need food, cooks, drivers, and deliveries.Paul Ford
d
: to have or show (someone or something) as part of a list, register, or record
Our system lists you as her emergency contact.
The recipe lists some ingredients I've never heard of.
The Lenovo site currently lists that configuration at $2,016 …Mark Coppock
2
: to place (oneself) in a specified category
lists himself as a political liberal
3
archaic : recruit

intransitive verb

1
: to become entered in a catalog with a selling price
a car that lists for $12,000
2
archaic : enlist
listee noun

list

3 of 9

verb (2)

listed; listing; lists

intransitive verb

: to tilt to one side
especially, of a boat or ship : to tilt to one side in a state of equilibrium (as from an unbalanced load) compare heel

transitive verb

: to cause to list
The shifting cargo listed the ship.

list

4 of 9

noun (2)

: a deviation from the vertical : tilt
The ship had a heavy list to starboard.
also : the extent of such a deviation

list

5 of 9

noun (3)

1
: a band or strip of material: such as
a
: listel
b
c
: a narrow strip of wood cut from the edge of a board
2
lists plural in form but singular or plural in construction
a
: an arena for combat (such as jousting)
entered the lists against the bullFrank Yerby
b
: a field of competition or controversy
The candidate entered the political lists.
3
: stripe
The horse had a list along its back.
4
obsolete : limit, boundary

list

6 of 9

verb (3)

listed; listing; lists

transitive verb

1
: to cut away a narrow strip from the edge of
2
: to prepare or plant (land) in ridges and furrows with a lister

list

7 of 9

verb (4)

listed; listing; lists

list

8 of 9

noun (4)

archaic

list

9 of 9

verb (5)

listed; listing; lists

transitive verb

archaic : to listen to : hear

Examples of list in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Here's our list of things to do on your trip to Natchez. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024 My list is complete with Apple AirTags, space-saving vacuum storage bags, and a roomy yet compact duffel that’s on sale for just $10; trust me, these Amazon Spring Sale deals shouldn't be missed. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024 According to Fried, Koch failed to cancel contracts that weren’t approved by the Democratic executive committee, while Barfield’s party was allegedly missing a membership list and financial audits from 2022. Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024 The group’s claims came with a list of demands, the report said. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 George Stephanopoulos and Larry Kudlow are among the list of former White House officials who have gone on to prominent careers on various TV news outlets. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024 Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted. arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2024 When lawmakers on the committee were asked to rank each proposal by priority, the request for Idaho youth residential care programs topped the list. Wilson Criscione, Idaho Statesman, 24 Mar. 2024 Knee troubles will also send Sean Newcomb to the injured list, the team announced Saturday. Jon Becker, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
Verb
WeWork is assessing its options having filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. in November, listing nearly $19 billion dollar of debts. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024 Other items have made it into her terraced Edwardian home in Queen’s Park, now listed for £5.25 million ($6.7 million) with Grant Bates from Hamptons’ Private Office. Sarah Rappaport, Fortune Europe, 26 Mar. 2024 The firm’s website listed its investment in the News Movement as recently as January, but it was subsequently removed from the site. Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024 Financial woes Built to its current height of 10 stories in 1949, the New Brotherhood Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with other neighboring properties in the Brotherhood Block. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024 It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024 These shell companies raise money and list publicly with the goal of merging with a private company to take it public. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024 The passenger was listed in custody Monday afternoon in the Sutter County Jail, and sheriff’s officials said he was being held on suspicion of violating parole. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2024 The names listed are of those who reported a burglary and the dates are when the crime is believed to have taken place. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'list.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

French liste, from Italian lista, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German līsta edge

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3) and Verb (3)

Middle English, from Old English līste; akin to Old High German līsta edge, Albanian leth

Verb (4)

Middle English lysten, from Old English lystan; akin to Old English lust desire, lust

Noun (4)

Middle English, probably from lysten

Verb (5)

Middle English, from Old English hlystan, from hlyst hearing; akin to Old English hlysnan to listen

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1614, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1626, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

1582, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (3)

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (4)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (4)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (5)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of list was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near list

Cite this Entry

“List.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/list. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

list

1 of 7 verb
archaic

list

2 of 7 verb
archaic
: to listen to : hear

list

3 of 7 noun
1
: a band or strip of material
2
plural
a
: an arena for jousting
b
: a field of competition or dispute

list

4 of 7 noun
: a leaning to one side : tilt

list

5 of 7 verb
: to lean to one side : tilt
a listing ship

list

6 of 7 noun
: a record or catalog of names or items
guest list
grocery list

list

7 of 7 verb
1
: to make a list of
2
: to put on a list
3
: to have a list price
a car that lists at $20,000
Etymology

Verb

Old English lystan "to please, suit, be desirable"

Verb

Old English hlystan "to listen"

Noun

Old English līste "strip"

Verb

origin unknown

Noun

from French liste "a series of names or numbers," from Italian lista (same meaning); of Germanic origin

Legal Definition

list

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on list

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