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 sculptures were among 34 Southeast Asian antiquities voluntarily relinquished by the collector in 2021 after investigators determined they had been looted. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

The global luxury resale and collateral market has expanded rapidly as younger high-net-worth individuals and fashion collectors treat assets like investments. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Made by historic producer of fine silverware Georg Jensen, these are a heritage item for sophisticated collectors and true aesthetes. — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026

The show runs through December 12, opening just ahead of Frieze London, when the city’s galleries traditionally unveil many of their most ambitious exhibitions for the influx of international collectors, curators, and museum directors. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 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