item

[ahy-tuhm, ahy-tem]

noun

1. a separate article or particular.

   50 items on the list.

   Synonyms: entry, heading, thing

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

3. 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.

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

5. an admonition or warning.

6. Older Use.,  an intimation or hint.

adverb

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

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

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

2. to make a note of.

item

noun

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

2. accounting an entry in an account

3. a piece of information, detail, or note

   a news item

4. informal,  two people having a romantic or sexual relationship

verb

1. (tr) an archaic word for itemize

adverb

1. likewise; also

Other Word Forms

• subitem noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of item¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “likewise” (adverb), “the same” (noun), from Latin: “likewise”

Word History and Origins

Origin of item¹

C14 (adv) from Latin: in like manner

Example Sentences

The Environment for Development, a global research network, estimates that around a third are unusable items that end up in landfills -- mostly made from plastic-based materials like nylon and polyester that does not biodegrade.

Read more on Barron's

Authorities located two people who were earlier reported missing and whose vehicles and personal items were found at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility, he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It requires large stores to increase the number of employees relative to self-checkout stands and also puts a limit on the number of items and types of goods that can be rung up at self-checkout.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Joyce Cooper, director of branch library services for the library, said in an interview that the Palisades Branch Library held more than 34,000 items, including books, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

China said it would give particular scrutiny to export of the restricted items if they are intended to help build advanced chips or support artificial-intelligence research.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• component 
• element 
• feature 
• information 
• piece 
• thing