album

American  

[al-buhm] / ˈæl bəm /

noun

albums plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• albums
  plural

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

See Examples For:

album albums

The Julian Casablancas-led band’s seventh album, produced by Rick Rubin, sharply departs from its alternative-rock sound, leaning into AutoTuned experimentation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

The court filing comes as Grande prepares for the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, this Friday.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

While it was a typically uneven set—only the Strokes’ first two albums have been tightly focused and stylistically coherent—critical reception was solid, and it eventually won a Grammy for best rock album.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

She then promoted her upcoming album “Comes in Waves,” her first album of original music since 2008.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

She had a photo album spread open on the bed, filled with pictures of us when we were babies.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy

They played West Coast clubs, released three albums and toured nationally.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

I also have the original masters of his Highwaymen albums.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Last Saturday morning, dozens of families set up their canopies for the annual Chavez Ravine community picnic, bringing photo albums and other cherished keepsakes to display table side.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Roddy Frame went on to have a successful solo career, releasing four solo albums.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

When Joey’s friends gather the belongings in her modest apartment, they discover a few record albums, many autographed theater and ballet posters, and nearly nine hundred books.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

• collection
• scrapbook