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
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 13 May 2025
Spoelstra is also already the winningest head coach in franchise history in both the regular season (787 wins) and playoffs (110 wins), passing Riley on both lists.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Here is the lineup of home and road opponents, listed alphabetically.
Steelers’ 2025 opponents
The Steelers went 10-7 in the 2024 regular season before being blown out by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs, extending Pittsburgh’s winless postseason drought to eight years.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for list
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
First up on Henry’s list was Tia Williams’ A Love Song for Ricki WIlde.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 13 May 2025
Spoelstra is also already the winningest head coach in franchise history in both the regular season (787 wins) and playoffs (110 wins), passing Riley on both lists.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Verb
Favorite Paint Picks Drew listed Farrow & Ball’s Dimity as his favorite neutral.
—Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Here is the lineup of home and road opponents, listed alphabetically.
Steelers’ 2025 opponents
The Steelers went 10-7 in the 2024 regular season before being blown out by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs, extending Pittsburgh’s winless postseason drought to eight years.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 14 May 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 21 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share