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

Before the auction, Christie’s opened the collection to visitors to view — drawing fans, collectors, and curious onlookers alike. —Adam Reiss, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026

In the contest for treasurer-tax collector, incumbent Shari Freidenrich will run against her former top deputy and the county’s current chief investment officer, Dana Schultz. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026

Weedn said the collectors were subcontractors, not campaign employees, and that attorneys were contacting authorities. —Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

That funding was intended for Stanislaus County, said Nicholas Valencia, Sutter County treasurer-tax collector. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 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