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 limited edition package includes a Dolby Vision transfer of the restoration; interviews with Jordan, co-writer David Leland, and producer Stephen Wooley; a vintage commentary track by Hoskins and Jordan; and a collectors’ booklet featuring writing on the film by critic Mike Sutton. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026

Denim Archeology is inspired by the collector, researcher and vintage enthusiast. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026

Initially dismissed by critics, their work is now irresistible to celebrity collectors (and as Instagram fodder). —David Lê, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2026

Timing of release Stewart also accused Lamont several times of being involved in the timetable of the law firm’s report on the tax collector. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 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