collector

noun

col·​lec·​tor kə-ˈlek-tər 

: one that collects: such as

a

: an official who collects funds or moneys

b

: a person who makes a collection

stamp collector

c

: an object or device that collects

the statuette was a dust collector

d

: solar collector

collectorship

kə-ˈlek-tər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of collector in a Sentence

He is an avid stamp collector.

The painting was purchased by a private collector.

The trash collectors came early today.

Recent Examples on the Web

The strip is a destination for art collectors who go to peruse everything from traditional to abstract art by artists from all over the globe. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

The design writer and collector Dung Ngo owns more than 10,000 pieces of cutlery. — Jessica Salter, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

The filmmaker, producer and lifelong collector, 45, has spent decades immersed in the world of movie props and memorabilia. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Other elements of the anniversary celebration include a large-scale in-person activation at Lollapalooza designed for fans, families and collectors that will include merch and giveaways. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English collectour, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin collēctōr-, collēctor, from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing collector

• collector's item
• solar collector

Rhymes for collector

• bisector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• elector
• erector

Kids Definition

collector

noun

col·​lec·​tor kə-ˈlek-tər 

1

: a person whose job is to collect money due

tax collector

bill collector

2

: one that makes a collection

stamp collector

3

: an object or device that collects

the ornament was just a dust collector