plural journals
1
: a book in which you write down your personal experiences and thoughts : diary
I've been keeping a journal for several years.
She records her dreams in a journal.
2
a
: a newspaper
—usually used in titles
the Wall Street Journal
b
: a magazine that reports on things of special interest to a particular group of people
an academic/scholarly journal
a medical journal
—often used in titlesthe Journal of the American Medical Association
Cite this Entry
“Journal.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/journal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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