item

1 of 3

noun

ˈī-təm 

1

: a distinct part in an enumeration, account, or series : article

2

: an object of attention, concern, or interest

3

: a separate piece of news or information

4

: a couple in a romantic or sexual relationship

5

obsolete : warning, hint

item

2 of 3

adverb

ˈī-ˌtem  ˈī-təm 

: and in addition : also

—used to introduce each article in a list or enumeration

item

3 of 3

verb

ˈī-təm 

itemed; iteming; items

transitive verb

1

archaic : compute, reckon

2

archaic : to set down the particular details of

Synonyms

Noun

• detail
• particular
• point

Choose the Right Synonym for item

item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole.

item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

Examples of item in a Sentence

Noun

There are several items for sale.

I need to buy a few household items like soap.

He always orders the most expensive item on the menu.

There are a lot of items on our agenda tonight, so let's start the meeting.

I saw an item in today's paper about the mayor's campaign plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

During the two-hour meeting — the third of three budget workshops in the past month — council members considered some three dozen potential items that could go into the coming year’s budget, picking some for funding and delaying decisions on others. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025

In October, Mary discovered a tracker on her car, as well as a receipt showing that Nathan had purchased an item from the tracker’s company, according to court documents. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025

Verb

The intentional collection designed by Rae is comprised of pieces that can be worn on the day-to-day and also items ideal for evenings out with friends. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Sep. 2024

Ladylike Dressing: Then and Now A-line skirts, lady jackets, chic day clutches: These are just a few of the It items making up this fall’s ladylike-dressing trend. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Latin, from ita thus

First Known Use

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing item

• collector's item
• line item
• line-item veto

Kids Definition

item

noun

ˈīt-əm

1

: a separate part in a list, account, or series

2

: a brief piece of news or an article reporting it

Legal Definition

item

noun

ˈī-təm 

1

: a distinct part in an enumeration, account, or series

2

: a financial instrument (as a check or draft)