item

American  

[ahy-tuhm, ahy-tem] / ˈaɪ təm, ˈaɪ tɛm /

noun

• items
  plural

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.

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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 British  

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

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verb

1. (tr) an archaic word for itemize

adverb

1. likewise; also

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subitem
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• items
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of item

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

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Explanation

An item is one thing, usually in a group or a list. At a restaurant, you might find yourself interested in a particular item on the menu (until you notice the price and decide to order a hamburger instead). Item is a Latin word meaning “likewise.” As early as the 15th century, this word was used in formal writing to introduce each point in a list (like a medieval version of the bullet point). The meaning of item has continued to evolve. Since the 1970s, it’s been used in casual speech to refer to a romantically involved couple: "Did you hear? Avery and Sam are an item!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

item items

The fee will apply to each type of item in a package sent directly to consumers from outside the EU, regardless of the parcel's value.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

She explained that "every item may need to be checked and every situation assessed for risk".

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

The former Board of Public Works member suggested that altering the five-member panel should have been its own item, saying, “The longer the paragraphs are, the fewer words the public will read.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

In October 2025, the New York Times reported internal estimates, as summarized by the Verge, that automation could let Amazon avoid more than 160,000 prospective U.S. hires by 2027, saving about 30 cents per item.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026

She had reached out for the house telephone and given her orders for the day, swiftly, efficiently, and run her pencil perhaps through an item in the menu that had not pleased her.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

David Bowie: On Tour is the first exhibition to showcase items from the singer's archive, which was acquired by the V&A in London in 2023.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Its Buy For Me feature lets users purchase some of those items from other merchants, but without leaving Amazon’s site.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

As for affordability of other household items, like food: Nobody benefits from rising food prices, but they hurt those who spend a higher percentage of their income on food even more.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 1, 2026

We feature 167 recommendations, ranging from locally made items for L.A. lovers to fun stocking stuffers for kids and adults.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2026

As the stack of items in his arms grew, he got closer.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

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Related Words

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

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