lists

American  

[lists] / lɪsts /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. an enclosed arena for a tilting contest.

2. the barriers enclosing this arena.

3. any place or scene of combat, competition, controversy, etc.

---

idioms

1. enter the lists, to involve oneself in a conflict or contest.

   to enter the lists against the protective tariff.

lists British  

/ lɪsts /

plural noun

1. history

   1. the enclosed field of combat at a tournament

   2. the barriers enclosing the field at a tournament

2. any arena or scene of conflict, controversy, etc

3. to engage in a conflict, controversy, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of lists

1350–1400; Middle English listes, plural of liste list ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lists

At an army base in the Nepali town of Bidur, a key rescue hub, relatives crowded around lists of rescued people pasted on a wall.

From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026

He lists a particular genus of moths christened Eucosoma bobana followed by E. cocana, E. dodana, E. fofana and so on, in singalong fashion for 23 more variations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

I have lists of movies that we want to watch in my Notes app on my phone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

It added existing waiting lists for gynaecology or surgical capacity would not be affected as additional clinical capacity had been found.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Then we checked the newspaper for supermarket specials and made out lists for each of the stores, depending on which one had the best buy in a particular item.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• account
• agenda
• archive
• ballot
• bill
• calendar
• catalog
• checklist
• dictionary
• directory
• draft
• file
• index
• inventory
• lineup
• listing
• menu
• poll
• program
• schedule