Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×
1

record

verb re·cord \ ri-ˈkȯrd \

Definition of record

recorded; recording; records
transitive verb
1 a (1) : to set down in writing : furnish written evidence of
(2) : to deposit an authentic official copy of
  • record a deed
b : to state for or as if for the record
  • voted in favor but recorded certain reservations
c (1) : to register permanently by mechanical means
  • earthquake shocks recorded by a seismograph
(2) : indicate, read
  • the thermometer recorded 90°
2 : to give evidence of
3 : to cause (sound, visual images, data, etc.) to be registered on something (such as a disc or magnetic tape) in reproducible form
intransitive verb
: to record something
—

recordable

play \ri-ˈkȯr-də-bəl\ adjective

See record defined for English-language learners

See record defined for kids

Examples of record in a Sentence

  1. Be sure to record all your business expenditures.

  2. There are similar events all throughout recorded history.

  3. The thermometer recorded 40 degrees below zero.

  4. A seismograph is a device that measures and records the intensity of earthquakes.

  5. Please record the television program for me.

  6. He recorded the birthday party with his new video camera.

  7. He just recorded his latest album.

  8. The show is recorded in front of a live audience.

  9. The band spent all night recording.

Origin and Etymology of record

Middle English, literally, to recall, from Anglo-French recorder, from Latin recordari, from re- + cord-, cor heart — more at heart

record Synonyms

Synonyms

catalog (or catalogue), enroll (also enrol), enter, index, inscribe, list, put down, register, schedule, slate;

Near Antonyms

delete;

Related Words

book, card, file, note;

classify, compile, tabulate, tally;

reschedule;

2

record

noun rec·ord \ ˈre-kərd also -ˌkȯrd \

Definition of record

1 : the state or fact of being recorded
2 : something that records: such as
a : something that recalls or relates past events
b : an official document that records the acts of a public body or officer
c : an authentic official copy of a document deposited with a legally designated officer
d : the official copy of the papers used in a law case
3 a (1) : a body of known or recorded facts about something or someone especially with reference to a particular sphere of activity that often forms a discernible pattern
  • a good academic record
  • a liberal voting record
(2) : a collection of related items of information (as in a database) treated as a unit
b (1) : an attested top performance
(2) : an unsurpassed statistic
4 : something on which sound or visual images have been recorded; specifically : a disc with a spiral groove carrying recorded sound for phonograph reproduction
— for the record
: for public knowledge : on the record
— off the record
: not for publication
  • spoke off the record
  • remarks that were off the record
— of record
1 : being documented or attested
  • a partner of record in several firms
2 : being authoritative or sanctioned
  • a newspaper of record
— on record
1 : in the position of having publicly declared oneself
  • went on record as opposed to higher taxes
2 : being known, published, or documented
  • the judge's opinion is on record
— on the record
: for publication

First Known Use of record

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler
3

record

adjective rec·ord \ ˈre-kərd also -ˌkȯrd \

Definition of record

: of, relating to, or being one that is extraordinary among or surpasses others of its kind

See record defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of record

1884

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler
4

record

noun re·cord \ ri-ˈkȯrd \

Definition of record

: a function of an electronic device that causes it to record

First Known Use of record

1946

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

RECORD Defined for English Language Learners

record

verb

Definition of record for English Language Learners

  • : to write (something) down so that it can be used or seen again in the future : to produce a record of (something)

  • : to show a measurement of (something) : to indicate (something)

  • : to store (something, such as sounds, music, images, etc.) on tape or on a disk so that it can be heard or seen later : to produce a recording of (something)

record

adjective

Definition of record for English Language Learners

  • : best or most remarkable among other similar things

RECORD Defined for Kids

1

record

verb re·cord \ ri-ˈkȯrd \

Definition of record for Students

recorded; recording
1 : to set down in writing He recorded his thoughts in a journal.
2 : to show a measurement of A seismograph records the strength of earthquakes.
3 : to change sound or visual images into a form (as on an optical disk or hard drive) that can be listened to or watched at a later time
2

record

noun rec·ord \ ˈre-kərd \

Definition of record for Students

1 : something written to give proof of something or tell about past events
  • I read the historical record.
2 : something that recalls or tells about past events
  • the fossil record
3 : a performance or achievement that is the best of its kind
  • It's a new record for the fastest mile.
4 : the known or recorded facts about a person or thing
  • He has a good school record.
5 : something on which sound or visual images have been recorded
— of record
: made known in public documents
— on record
: published in official documents
3

record

adjective rec·ord \ ˈre-kərd \

Definition of record for Students

: outstanding among other like things
  • a record crop
  • record high temperatures

Law Dictionary

1

record

transitive verb re·cord \ ri-ˈkȯrd \

legal Definition of record

1 : to put in a record
2 : to deposit or otherwise cause to be registered in the appropriate office as a record and notice of a title or interest in property
  • record a deed
  • record a mortgage
— see also recording act
3 : to cause (as sound, images, or data) to be registered on something in reproducible form
  • record a telephone conversation
intransitive verb
: to record something
2

record

noun rec·ord \ ˈre-kərd \

legal Definition of record

1 : the documentary account of something
  • confidential medical records
: as
a : an official document that records the acts of a public body or officer
b : an official copy of a document deposited with a designated officer
c : the official set of papers used and generated in a proceeding
  • the appeals court reviewed the trial record
d : documented evidence or history of one or more arrests or convictions — see also business records exception, public records exception
2 : something (as a disc or tape) on which images, sound, or data has been recorded
— of record
1 : on the record of the court in connection with a particular proceeding
  • the attorney of record
2 : being documented or attested

Learn More about record

  1. See words that rhyme with record Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for record Spanish Central: Translation of record Nglish: Translation of record for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of record for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up record? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

notorious

play

widely and unfavorably known

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

record

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games