1
a
: a simple series of words or numerals (such as the names of persons or objects)
a guest list
b
: an official roster : roll
drawing up a list for … party nomination—
Richard Scammon
Richard Scammon3
: the total number to be considered or included
add spelling reform to his list of interests—W. B. Shaw
W. B. Shaw
listed; listing; lists
1
a
: to make a list of : enumerate
She began listing places she wanted to travel.
Can you list three former U.S. presidents?
Please list the medicines you currently take.
b
: to add (someone or something) to a list : register
They listed their property (for sale).
The animal has now been officially listed as endangered.
He listed messiness as a pet peeve.
c
: to have or show a list of
This guide lists simple tips for operating your fire pit better …—Brian Bennet
Brian Bennet… put up eight huge electronic billboards listing gate information for flights to and from nearly 20 cities …—Bridget O'Brian
Bridget O'BrianThe database lists people who need food, cooks, drivers, and deliveries.—Paul Ford
Paul Ford
d
: to have or show (someone or something) as part of a list, register, or record
Our system lists you as her emergency contact.
The recipe lists some ingredients I've never heard of.
The Lenovo site currently lists that configuration at $2,016 …—Mark Coppock
Mark Coppock2
: to place (oneself) in a specified category
lists himself as a political liberal
3
archaic
: recruit
1
: to become entered in a catalog with a selling price
a car that lists for $12,000
2
archaic
: enlist
listed; listing; lists
: to tilt to one side
especially, of a boat or ship
: to tilt to one side in a state of equilibrium (as from an unbalanced load) compare heel
: to cause to list
The shifting cargo listed the ship.
: a deviation from the vertical : tilt
The ship had a heavy list to starboard.
also
: the extent of such a deviation
1
2
lists plural in form but singular or plural in construction
a
: an arena for combat (such as jousting)
entered the lists against the bull—Frank Yerby
Frank Yerby
b
: a field of competition or controversy
The candidate entered the political lists.
3
: stripe
The horse had a list along its back.
listed; listing; lists
1
: to cut away a narrow strip from the edge of
2
: to prepare or plant (land) in ridges and furrows with a lister
listed; listing; lists
archaic
Examples of list in a Sentence
Noun (1)
we put eggs, sour cream, tomatoes, roast beef, and cheddar cheese on the shopping list
Verb (1)
the coach listed the people on the team
her number isn't listed in the phone book
our grandfather is listed among the war dead honored by the memorial
do I need to list all of the reasons why your idea won't work?
Verb (2)
the sudden shift of the load in the hull listed the ship badly
Noun (2)
the extreme list of the racing yacht made it hard for the untried crew to keep their balance
Noun (3)
shave a thin list from the side of the board
Recent Examples on the Web
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025
In 2024, non-EU tax-free sales were up 9 percent year-on-year with countries such as China, the U.S., India, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa topping the list of shoppers.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 May 2025
Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Ahead of the match, Washington listed eleven players as unavailable, including star forward Trinity Rodman, who stepped away from team activities to address her continuing back issues.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for list
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The final season, in its first four days on Netflix, amassed 10.1 million views and claimed the top spot on the English TV list, according to Netflix.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025
In 2024, non-EU tax-free sales were up 9 percent year-on-year with countries such as China, the U.S., India, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa topping the list of shoppers.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 May 2025
Verb
Yes Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: Served on Fort Worth City Council since 2023
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding?
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Ahead of the match, Washington listed eleven players as unavailable, including star forward Trinity Rodman, who stepped away from team activities to address her continuing back issues.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for list
Cite this Entry
“List.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/list. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
list
1 of 7 verb
archaic
list
2 of 7 verb
archaic
: to listen to : hear
list
3 of 7 noun1
: a band or strip of material
2
plural
a
: an arena for jousting
b
: a field of competition or dispute
list
4 of 7 noun
: a leaning to one side : tilt
list
5 of 7 verb
: to lean to one side : tilt
a listing ship
list
6 of 7 noun
: a record or catalog of names or items
guest list
grocery list
list
7 of 7 verb1
: to make a list of
2
: to put on a list
3
: to have a list price
a car that lists at $20,000
Etymology
Verb
Old English lystan "to please, suit, be desirable"
Verb
Old English hlystan "to listen"
Noun
Old English līste "strip"
Verb
origin unknown
Noun
from French liste "a series of names or numbers," from Italian lista (same meaning); of Germanic origin
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