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 petite sizing is a great match for any miniature tree installation or a fun way to surprise someone who’s a longtime collector. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025

According to the Spanish newspaper El País, the artwork was being loaned out by a private collector who has not been identified. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

There are 45 percent more Ferrari collectors today than there were three years ago. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Watchmakers, retailers, and dealers are grappling to find the best and most cost-effective ways to get pieces in the hands of stateside collectors. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025

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

14th 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