collector

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

collectorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

col·​lec·​tor·​ship kə-ˈlek-tər-ˌship 

plural -s

1

: the jurisdiction, residence, office, or staff of a collector

2

: the practice of one that collects

Examples of collector in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

Smith said the purchase has the potential to draw greater attention from collectors, critics and museums outside the region while helping establish Kansas City as a destination for contemporary Black art. — Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

A student of history and avid collector of tapestries, Ormund sees himself as a scholar, as Alicent (Olivia Cooke) describes to Rhaenyra in the fourth episode. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

The result is the latest sign that museum-quality dinosaur fossils have joined the ranks of blue-chip contemporary art, rare watches, and championship sports memorabilia as trophy assets for the world’s wealthiest collectors. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 15 July 2026

Brand confirmed that the painting was part of Goudstikker’s collection with the help of a black notebook that was once owned by the collector and catalogued much of his holdings. — News Desk, Artforum, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (1)

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