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.
a digital collection of photographs, stored on a computer or mobile device for viewing, displaying, or sharing.
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.
the package or container for such a record or records: The album has a pocket for each record.
a collection of audio recordings released together as a collected work: The digital release of their debut album sold more copies than expected.
a printed book containing an anthology of writings, reproductions of photographs or artwork, musical compositions, etc.
Origin of album
1645–55;1955–60for def 2; < Latin: neuter singular of albus white, i.e., a blank (tablet) painted white for writing on
1650s, from Latin album "white color, whiteness," neuter of albus "white" (see alb). In classical times "a blank tablet on which the Pontifex Maximus registered the principal events of the year; a list of names." Revived 16c. by German scholars whose custom was to keep an album amicorum of colleagues' signatures; meaning then expanded into "book to collect souvenirs." According to Johnson, "a book in which foreigners have long been accustomed to insert autographs of celebrated people." Photographic albums first recorded 1859. Meaning "long-playing gramophone record" is by 1951, because the sleeves they came in resembled large albums.
