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.

---

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

---

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

Was A$AP Rocky's comeback album worth the eight-year wait?

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

Few details about the project were revealed, apart from a denial that the pair would collaborate on a double album.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

When asked about the possibility of a new album, Jean began by restating the question, "Will there be music in the future?"

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

When Charles Lloyd rose to stardom with his bestselling 1967 album “Forest Flower,” the saxophonist and flutist was a bold young renegade who seemed wise beyond his years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 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

He and Irglova released three albums as The Swell Season, while Hansard also encountered success as a solo artist with 2016 album Didn't He Ramble being nominated for a Grammy in 2016.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

The shortlisted albums are selected by a panel of 12 jurists, including 6 Music broadcaster Afrodeutsche, musician Jamie Cullum, and The Times' music critic Will Hodgkinson.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 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

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

A few days later, I was on the floor in Mabel's living room, looking through photo albums.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

Related Words

• collection
• scrapbook