collector

noun col·lec·tor \ kə-ˈlek-tər \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of collector

: 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

play \kə-ˈlek-tər-ˌship\ noun

See collector defined for English-language learners

See collector defined for kids

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 of collector from the Web

In January 2017, at the end of the Obama Administration, the CFPB sued Navient, the largest U.S. student-loan collector.

— amy merrick, The Atlantic, "Should Businesses Help Employees Pay Off Their Student Loans?," 18 May 2018
The CloudFisher was described by the WaterFoundation as the first maintance-free fog collector that can withstand wind speeds of up 75 miles per hour with flexible troughs following the movement of the net in the wind.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Fog catchers turn mist into water in the Moroccan mountains," 17 May 2018
For the second time in twelve years, one of the artist’s works has suffered damage under the ownership of the billionaire collector.

— hallie detrick, Fortune, "A Picasso Painting Owned by Steve Wynn Was Damaged—Again," 14 May 2018
Under terms of the deal, taxpayers would pay BitPay in the currency through the tax collector’s website, then BitPay would compensate Greenberg’s office in cash.

— ryan gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Seminole Tax Collector Joel Greenberg begins accepting bitcoin as payment," 14 May 2018
At the center of the show is a large glass case displaying 10 Japanese kimonos, recent gifts of collector Erik Jacobsen, each decorated with images ingeniously incorporating military and nationalistic themes.

— charles desmarais, San Francisco Chronicle, "Dressed to kill: War propaganda kimonos on view at the de Young," 11 May 2018
In 1922, the premier American collector of modern painting, Albert Barnes, visited Soutine’s dealer.

— peter schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "The Vulnerable Ferocity of Chaim Soutine," 7 May 2018
To put an end to the litigation, a federal judge in December directed the Education Department to complete its selection of loan collectors for the new contract.

— danielle douglas-gabriel, Washington Post, "Education Dept. cancels contracts with two firms to collect on student debt," 4 May 2018
Because of the volume being sold, treasures can be found at auction, but the prudent collector should bring a dose of skepticism to the proceedings.

— jay mcinerney, Town & Country, "The Truth About Wine Auctions, Scandals, and Sales," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'collector.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of collector

14th century

in the meaning defined above

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COLLECTOR Defined for English Language Learners

collector

noun

Definition of collector for English Language Learners

: a person who collects certain things as a hobby
: a person whose job is to collect something (such as trash or money)

COLLECTOR Defined for Kids

collector

noun col·lec·tor \ kə-ˈlek-tər \

Definition of collector for Students

1 : a person or thing that collects

stamp collector

2 : a person whose business it is to collect money

a bill collector

Learn More about collector

See words that rhyme with collector Spanish Central: Translation of collector Nglish: Translation of collector for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of collector for Arabic speakers

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collector

Definition of collector

collectorship

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First Known Use of collector

COLLECTOR Defined for English Language Learners

collector

Definition of collector for English Language Learners

COLLECTOR Defined for Kids

collector

Definition of collector for Students

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collector

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collectorship

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collector

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