album

American  

[al-buhm] / ˈæl bəm /

noun

1. 1. a bound or loose-leaf book consisting of blank pages, pockets, envelopes, etc., for storing or displaying photographs, stamps, or the like, or for collecting autographs.

   2. a digital collection of photographs, stored on a computer or mobile device for viewing, displaying, or sharing.

2. 1. a record or set of records containing several musical selections, a complete play or opera, etc..

      Her album of folk songs will be out next month.

   2. the package or container for such a record or records.

      The album has a pocket for each record.

   3. a collection of audio recordings released together as a collected work.

      The digital release of their debut album sold more copies than expected.

3. a printed book containing an anthology of writings, reproductions of photographs or artwork, musical compositions, etc.

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album British  

/ ˈælbəm /

noun

1. a book or binder consisting of blank pages, pockets, or envelopes for keeping photographs, stamps, autographs, drawings, poems, etc

2. one or more CDs, cassettes, or long-playing records released as a single item

3. a booklike holder containing sleeves for gramophone records

4. an anthology, usually large and illustrated

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Etymology

Origin of album

First recorded in 1610–20; 1955–60 album for def. 2; from Latin: neuter singular of albus “white,” i.e., a blank (tablet) painted white for writing on

Explanation

An album is a book of photographs, mementos, or a collection of some other kind — like music. As digital forms of photographs and music become more popular, albums are becoming a thing of the past. A photo album is full of pictures, and a stamp collector's album contains stamps from different countries. Another kind of album is a collection of songs, either on a record or a CD. In Latin, album means "white," and in ancient times it referred to a blank tablet. 16th century German academics kept what they called an album amicorum, or a collection of colleagues' signatures, and from there album came to mean "souvenir book."

Example Sentences

Aimée Anne Duffy grew up between Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire before becoming an overnight sensation with hit single Mercy and Rockferry, which became the UK's best selling album of 2008.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

While personal narrative is key to the album, “No. 29” acts as an aural demarcation.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

Though she debuted eight new songs at Thursday’s MSG show, she has yet to announce a new album.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

In her latest album, “The Boutique,” Zinadelphia is a funky jazz, indie-pop goddess.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

By the time her mother came past her doorway and down the hall, toward Moody’s room, she had listened to the album four times and was just beginning on the fifth.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• collection
• scrapbook