item

[ noun, verb ahy-tuhm; adverb ahy-tem ]

/ noun, verb ˈaɪ təm; adverb ˈaɪ tɛm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR item ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a separate article or particular: 50 items on the list.

a separate piece of information or news, as a short piece in a newspaper or broadcast.

Slang. something suitable for a news paragraph or as a topic of gossip, especially something that is sensational or scandalous: The bandleader and the new female singer are an item.

a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter I.

an admonition or warning.

Older Use. an intimation or hint.

adverb

also; likewise (used especially to introduce each article or statement in a list or series).

verb (used with object) Archaic.

to set down or enter as an item, or by or in items.

to make a note of.

Nearby words

itchy, itchy palm, itcz, itea, itelmen, item, item veto, itemize, itemized deduction, iter, iterance

Origin of item

1350–1400; Middle English: likewise (adv.), the same (noun) < Latin: likewise

SYNONYMS FOR item

1 thing; heading, entry.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR item ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

sub·i·tem, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for item

The item on federal prisoners was disturbing in a different way.
The GOP’s Hidden Ban on Prison Abortions|Harold Pollack|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“They are very friendly and curious,” The Evening Independent wrote in 1979 in an item emphasizing their popularity and cuteness.
Lovable ‘Madagascar’ Penguins Are Known to Rape and Torture in Real Life|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He could surmise one item in keeping with young women of Somali heritage.
How ISIS’s Colorado Girls Were Caught|Michael Daly|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way.
Who Designed Urban Outfitters's Bloody Kent State Shirt? They Won't Say|Asawin Suebsaeng|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.
Who Designed Urban Outfitters's Bloody Kent State Shirt? They Won't Say|Asawin Suebsaeng|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Altogether, it was such an item as Tom had often longed to see, and the reading of it went to his head.
A Court of Inquiry|Grace S. Richmond
Item, I give to my servant John Raby, for his diligence in my service and sickness twenty pounds.
William Harvey|D'Arcy Powers
The pay of the navy is quite an item in the list of Government expenditures.
The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, June, 1863|Various
Item, That nane should enjoy office or benefice ecclesiasticall, except a Preast.
The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6)|John Knox
Suppose Chiffield to own a one-fourth interest only, and there you have the item of seventy-five thousand dollars more.
Round the Block|John Bell Bouton

British Dictionary definitions for item

item

noun (ˈaɪtəm)

a thing or unit, esp included in a list or collection

accounting an entry in an account

a piece of information, detail, or notea news item

informal two people having a romantic or sexual relationship

verb (ˈaɪtəm)

(tr) an archaic word for itemize

adverb (ˈaɪtɛm)

likewise; also

Word Origin for item

C14 (adv) from Latin: in like manner

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012