anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural anthologies

1

: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music

an anthology of American poetry

2

: assortment

… an anthology of threadbare clichés of … bistro cuisine …

—Jay Jacobs

anthological

ˌan(t)-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

Synonyms of anthology

• compilation

Examples of anthology in a Sentence

an anthology of American poetry

The band will be releasing an anthology of their earlier albums.

Recent Examples on the Web

To extend that mindset beyond apparel, Messier and his team also developed the GAME 7 anthology for Prime Video, a storytelling project built around the emotion, tension, and iconic moments that define Game 7 greatness. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

So consider this an anthology of top architectural attractions, a compendium of cultural wonders, and a shortlist of the most sure-to-impress natural scenery on the planet. —Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 3 Dec. 2025

This landmark anthology draws upon the imagination of 36 of horror’s brightest contemporary names to map the further reaches of the original 1978 novel — and go beyond. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

The six-episode anthology legal microdrama will debut free on YouTube with new episodes premiering monthly. —Giana Levy, Variety, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & New Latin; French anthologie, going back to Middle French, borrowed from New Latin anthologia, borrowed from Greek anthología "gathering of flowers," from anthológos "flower-gathering" (from antho- antho- + -logos, nominal ablaut derivative of légein "to gather, collect") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at legend

Note: The sense "collection of extracts" is found earlier in the parallel formation anthológion, attested in Byzantine Greek.

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anthology

• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

plural anthologies

: a collection of literary pieces

anthologist

-jəst

noun