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

Horowitz pointed out that the Miami Beach fair’s profile is changing as fairs in other cities rise — including Paris, whose strong October edition drew collectors who once would have prioritized Miami. —Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

Just look around — posters galore for collectors! —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025

This year, however, my Christmas and Hanukkah decor obsession led me to three collectors whose ornaments have brought me to the brink of envious tears. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 3 Dec. 2025

Debt collectors may still request payment, but you can't be taken to court if the debt is time-barred. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Dec. 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

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