diary

noun

di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē 

plural diaries

1

: a record of events, transactions, or observations kept daily or at frequent intervals : journal

especially : a daily record of personal activities, reflections, or feelings

2

: a book intended or used for a diary

Synonyms

• daybook
• journal

Examples of diary in a Sentence

has diligently kept a diary since she was 15

Recent Examples on the Web

Her father, Li Rui, wrote a diary now in the hands of Stanford University and the subject of a lawsuit by the current government in China to keep the document under wraps. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024

Mitchell pieces together bits of her great aunt’s life from childhood visits and insight gleaned from letters, postcards, photos, travel diaries, and fragments of memory. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 5 Sep. 2024

Told through her own words for the very first time — drawn from her diary, letters, essays, and print interviews — and brought to life by animation inspired by her artwork. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024

Keeping a symptom diary is often part of the management plan. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin diarium, from dies day — more at deity

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diary

• keep a diary

Kids Definition

diary

noun

di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē 

plural diaries

: a daily record especially of personal experiences and thoughts

also : a book for keeping such a record

Etymology

from Latin diarium "a record of business dealings or activities during the day," from dies "day" — related to meridian, sunday see Word History at sunday