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

• album
• collectanea
• compendium
• compilation
• florilegium
• miscellany
• reader

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

The two actresses scored nods for best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for Under the Bridge and True Detective: Night Country, respectively. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 July 2024

Baby Reindeer has cemented its status as one of the breakout hits of 2024 by bagging a total of 11 Emmy nominations, including for best limited or anthology series. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 July 2024

Kamal Haasan introduces the anthology in which each story probes the interplay between noble and primal human impulses. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2024

Duvall’s storytime anthologies were the best reason to subscribe to Showtime, when cable was still the Wild West, and one of the best reasons ever to own a TV. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2024

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

Kids Definition

anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

plural anthologies

: a collection of literary pieces

anthologist

-jəst

noun