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.

---

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

---

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

Example Sentences

This three-decade period, it must be noted, yielded only six albums of original songs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bad Bunny made history a few days ago after taking home the album of the year Grammy with a Spanish-language album.

From Los Angeles Times

Opalite is the second single from Swift's blockbuster 12th album, The Life Of A Showgirl, which was the biggest-selling record in the UK last year.

From BBC

It's a move away from his stripped-back 2024 album Room Under The Stairs and sees him begging someone to stay, with lyrics including: "Gave you my heart, don't you dare let it go".

From BBC

Her stardom has skyrocketed in recent years, with her 2024 album So Close to What debuting at number one on the Billboard 200.

From BBC

Related Words

• collection
• scrapbook