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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of lists

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

Example Sentences

The lender will have a fragmented board but the majority of directors will have come from election lists that included Lovaglio, which should give them control, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

There are no fewer than 15 parties standing here, among 29 which are contesting regional lists across the country.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Cosby’s work has topped bestseller lists and been praised by former President Obama.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

What it characterizes, again, completely without precedent, as core powers of the presidency among which it lists pardons.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

From morning till night it continued: the choosing of outfits, the practicing of pirouettes, the making of to-do lists.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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