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

The LP Sweat is her ninth studio album and her best ever solo performance on the charts was her debut in 1999, Northern Star.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

The album Fenian dropped earlier this month and could be the first ever number one album on the UK charts for the trio, known as Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

The 22-year-old pop superstar brought her latest album, ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft,’ to Inglewood’s Kia Forum on Sunday night.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

"I already told them they have to come back next year," Sheinbaum said, later posting a photo with the group and holding their latest album "ARIRANG."

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

“And you feel the need to share this with us because…?” Camille swipes through her photo album at lightning speed.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• collection
• scrapbook