register

1 of 3

noun (1)

reg·​is·​ter ˈre-jə-stər How to pronounce register (audio)
1
: a written record containing regular entries of items or details
2
a
: a book or system of public records
b
: a roster of qualified or available individuals
a civil service register
3
: an entry in a register
4
a
: a set of organ pipes of like quality : stop
b(1)
: the range of a human voice or a musical instrument
(2)
: a portion of such a range similarly produced or of the same quality
c
: any of the varieties of a language that a speaker uses in a particular social context
5
: a grille often with shutters for admitting heated air or for ventilation
6
7
a
: an automatic device registering a number or a quantity
b
: a number or quantity so registered
8
: a condition of correct alignment or proper relative position
9
: a device (as in a computer) for storing small amounts of data
especially : one in which data can be both stored and operated on

register

2 of 3

verb

registered; registering ˈre-jə-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce register (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to make or secure official entry of in a register
b
: to enroll formally especially as a voter or student
c
: to record automatically : indicate
d
: to make a record of : note
e
: perceive
also : comprehend
2
: to make or adjust so as to correspond exactly
3
: to secure special protection for (a piece of mail) by prepayment of a fee
4
: to convey an impression of : express
5
: achieve
registered an impressive victory

intransitive verb

1
a
: to enroll one's name in a register
registered at the hotel
b
: to enroll one's name officially as a prerequisite for voting
c
: to enroll formally as a student
2
a
: to correspond exactly
b
: to be in correct alignment or register
3
: to make or convey an impression

register

3 of 3

noun (2)

Examples of register in a Sentence

Noun (1) check the voter register to see if it has my current party affiliation Verb He registered the birth of his child. She registered her new car. The car was registered under my name. The company registered its trademark. Only 32 cases of the disease have been registered. Did you register to vote? She is busy registering the students. Roast the meat for two hours or until the meat thermometer registers 140 degrees. an earthquake that registered 6.3 on the Richter scale The team finally registered a victory after losing three games in a row. Noun (2) ask the county register for a copy of your birth certificate
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
According to Companies House, the British government’s business register, the business’ gross profit totaled 19.39 million pounds for the year ending March 31, 2023. Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024 While the murder is incredibly well known, there are also deep unknown registers of it. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
The 26-year-old leader of the nonpartisan organization checked in with organizers who had spent hours urging students at Clark Atlanta University to register to vote. Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024 For more information and to register, visit https://www.bayareaolderadults.org/november. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for register 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'register.' 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)

Middle English registre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin registrum, alteration of Late Latin regesta, plural, register, from Latin, neuter plural of regestus, past participle of regerere to bring back, pile up, collect, from re- + gerere to bear

Noun (2)

Middle English, probably alteration of registrer

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of register was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near register

Cite this Entry

“Register.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/register. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

register

1 of 3 noun
reg·​is·​ter ˈrej-ə-stər How to pronounce register (audio)
1
a
: a written record or list of items
b
: a book for such a record
a register of deeds
2
: a part of the range of a human voice or a musical instrument made up of tones similarly produced or of the same quality
3
: a device (as in a floor or wall) that regulates the flow of heated air from a furnace
4
a
: an automatic device registering a number or a quantity
b
: a number or quantity registered by such a device

register

2 of 3 verb
registered; registering -st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce register (audio)
1
a
: to record exactly and legally in a register
register a will
b
: to enroll especially as a voter or student
c
: to record automatically : indicate
the thermometer registered zero
2
: to get special protection for (a piece of mail) by prepayment of a fee
3
: to show by expression and bodily movements alone
your face registered surprise
4
: to write one's name in a register
register at a hotel
register for the draft
5
: to make an impression
your name didn't register with me

register

3 of 3 noun

Legal Definition

register

1 of 2 noun
reg·​is·​ter ˈre-jə-stər How to pronounce register (audio)
1
: a written record containing regular entries of items or details
specifically : police register
2
a
: a book or system of public records (as titles or patents)
b
: a roster of qualified or available individuals
c
: the formal record maintained by a corporation of the names and addresses of holders of its registered securities
3
4
[probably alteration of Middle English registrer registrar] : registrar

register

2 of 2 verb
registered; registering

transitive verb

1
: to make or secure official entry of in a register
register a car
register a title
2
: to enroll formally especially as a voter or student
3
: to secure special protection for (a piece of mail) by prepayment of a fee

intransitive verb

1
: to enroll one's name in a register
2
: to enroll one's name officially as a prerequisite for voting
Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French registre, from Medieval Latin registrum, alteration of Late Latin regesta, pl., register, from Latin, neuter plural of regestus, past participle of regerere to bring back, pile up, collect

More from Merriam-Webster on register

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!