record
REHK-awd
Record (noun) means a written or stored account of information, kept for future reference. Example: “The hospital keeps a record of every patient's vaccinations.”
noun
1
A written or stored account of information, kept for future reference.
"The hospital keeps a record of every patient's vaccinations."
"Her employment record shows ten years at the same company."
"Keep a record of every payment you make to the builder."
2
The best or most extreme result ever achieved in something.
"He broke the world record for the 100-metre sprint."
"The swimmer set a new record at the local pool."
"Nobody has beaten the school record for the long jump."
3
A vinyl disc used to store and play music.
"She still collects old jazz records from the 1960s."
"He put a record on the turntable and sat down to listen."
"Dad keeps his records in a wooden crate beside the sofa."
verb
1
To capture sound, video, or information for later use.
"We recorded the whole concert on our phones."
"Please record the meeting minutes accurately."
"The scientist recorded the temperature every hour for a week."
adj
1
Higher, lower, faster, or bigger than anything achieved before.
"The company posted record profits this quarter."
"Record numbers of visitors came to the beach during the heatwave."
"The little shop had a record year after it moved to the high street."
How to use record
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a stored account of something, the best result ever achieved, or the act of capturing sound/video/information.
Common mistake
Stress the noun on the first syllable (REC-ord) and the verb on the second (re-CORD).
Common pairings
break a record
keep a record
record a video
medical record
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- records
- Past tense
- recorded
Fill the gap
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The hospital keeps a _____ of every patient's vaccinations.
Etymology
From Middle English recorde, borrowed from Old French record, ultimately from Latin recordari ("to remember, call to mind").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “record” mean?
The word “record” means a written or stored account of information, kept for future reference. In plain terms, either a stored account of something, the best result ever achieved, or the act of capturing sound/video/information.
How do you pronounce “record”?
“Record” is pronounced REHK-awd (/ˈɹɛk.ɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “record” in a sentence?
Here is “record” used in a sentence: “The hospital keeps a record of every patient's vaccinations.”
What is the opposite of “record”?
The opposite of “record” — its antonyms — is erase.
What part of speech is “record”?
Depending on how it is used, “record” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “record” come from?
The word “record” comes from Latin. From Middle English recorde, borrowed from Old French record, ultimately from Latin recordari ("to remember, call to mind").
Is “record” a common word?
“Record” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “record” have?
“Record” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a written or stored account of information, kept for future reference.
What is the difference between a record and a document?
A document is a single piece of written material; a record is information kept deliberately as evidence or for future reference. Many records are documents, but a record can also be a database entry, an audio file, or a log. The defining feature of a record is that it is stored to be retrieved later.
What are the types of records?
Records come in many forms: medical records, financial records, school records, criminal records, and public records, among others. They may be written, printed, or stored digitally. Whatever the format, each type serves the same purpose — preserving information accurately so it can be consulted, verified, or updated in future.
Why are records important?
Records preserve information that memory alone cannot hold reliably. They provide evidence of what happened, support decisions, protect legal and financial rights, and allow facts to be checked long after the event. Without records, organisations and individuals would have no dependable account of transactions, history, or agreements to fall back on.
What is an example of a record?
A patient's medical history, a company's accounts, a birth certificate, or a log of visitors to a building are all records. Each stores specific information in a fixed form so it can be looked up later — the essence of what makes something a record rather than a passing note.
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