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

Rikki Kanellopoulos is a vintage collector and stylist and the founder of Sourced by Rikki. —Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 22 June 2026

In Miami, 40 collector memberships are available each September to July for those who want to receive four surprise artworks. —Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026

Just release high-quality merch instead of these plastic dust collectors. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 June 2026

In short, Spiegler explains that the art world has expanded its supply of art, of dealers, and of fairs—but not of art sales to coveted collectors, which remain a rare sliver of the global population. —Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 22 June 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