register

American  

[rej-uh-ster] / ˈrɛdʒ ə stər /

noun

1. a book in which records of acts, events, names, etc., are kept.

   Synonyms:

   archive, ledger, record

2. a list or record of such acts, events, etc.

   Synonyms:

   annals, schedule, chronicle, catalog, roster, roll

3. an entry in such a book, record, or list.

4. an official document issued to a merchant ship as evidence of its nationality.

5. registration or registry.

6. a mechanical device by which certain data are automatically recorded.

7. cash register.

8. Music.

   1. the compass or range of a voice or an instrument.

   2. a part of this range produced in the same way and having the same quality.

      the head register;

      the upper register of the clarinet.

   3. (in an organ) a stop.

9. a device for controlling the flow of warmed air or the like through an opening, as from a duct to an interior, composed of a number of narrow, parallel blades, usually behind a grating, that may be adjusted so as to overlap and close the opening.

10. Photography. proper relationship between two plane surfaces in photography, as corresponding plates in photoengraving.

11. Printing.

    1. a precise adjustment or correspondence, as of lines, columns, etc., especially on the two sides of a leaf.

    2. correct relation or exact superimposition, as of colors in color printing.

12. a bookmark, especially a ribbon attached to the spine of a book.

13. Linguistics. a variety of language typically used in a specific type of communicative setting.

    an informal register;

    the register of scientific discourse.

14. Computers. a high-speed storage location in the CPU, used to store a related string of bits, as a word or phrase.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to enter or cause to be entered formally in a register.

   Synonyms:

   chronicle, catalog, record, list, enroll

2. to cause (mail) to be recorded upon delivery to a post office for safeguarding against loss, theft, damage, etc., during transmission.

3. to enroll (a student, voter, etc.) in a school or course of study, on the voting rolls, etc.

4. to indicate by a record, as instruments do.

   The thermometer registered 102 degrees today.

5. to indicate or show, as on a scale.

6. Printing. to adjust so as to secure exact correspondence; cause to be in register.

7. Military. to adjust (fire) on a known point.

8. to show (surprise, joy, anger, etc.), as by facial expression or by actions.

   Synonyms:

   evince, demonstrate

9. to document (a merchant ship engaged in foreign trade) by issuing a certificate of registry.

verb (used without object)

1. to enter one's name or cause it to be entered in a register; enroll.

   to register at a motel.

2. to apply for and obtain inclusion of one's name on the list of voters.

3. to enroll in a school or course of study.

   I've registered for three English classes.

4. Printing. to be in register.

5. to show.

   A broad smile registered on his face.

6. to have some effect; make some impression.

   My plea didn't register on him at all.

register British  

/ ˈrɛdʒɪstə /

noun

1. an official or formal list recording names, events, or transactions

2. the book in which such a list is written

3. an entry in such a list

4. a recording device that accumulates data, totals sums of money, etc

   a cash register

5. a movable plate that controls the flow of air into a furnace, chimney, room, etc

6. computing one of a set of word-sized locations in the central processing unit in which items of data are placed temporarily before they are operated on by program instructions

7. music

   1. the timbre characteristic of a certain manner of voice production See head voice chest voice

   2. any of the stops on an organ as classified in respect of its tonal quality

      the flute register

8. printing

   1. the correct alignment of the separate plates in colour printing

   2. the exact correspondence of lines of type, columns, etc, on the two sides of a printed sheet of paper

9. a form of a language associated with a particular social situation or subject matter, such as obscene slang, legal language, or journalese

10. the act or an instance of registering

---

verb

1. (tr) to enter or cause someone to enter (an event, person's name, ownership, etc) on a register; formally record

2. to show or be shown on a scale or other measuring instrument

   the current didn't register on the meter

3. to show or be shown in a person's face, bearing, etc

   his face registered surprise

4. (intr) to have an effect; make an impression

   the news of her uncle's death just did not register

5. to send (a letter, package, etc) by registered post

6. (tr) printing to adjust (a printing press, forme, etc) to ensure that the printed matter is in register

7. (of a mechanical part) to align (with another part)

8. military to bring (a gun) to bear on its target by adjustment according to the accuracy of observed single rounds

Other Word Forms

• misregister verb
• nonregistrable adjective
• preregister verb (used with or without object)
• registerable adjective
• registerer noun
• registrability noun
• registrable adjective
• reregister verb
• unregistrable adjective

Etymology

Origin of register

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the noun) Middle English registre, from Middle French, Old French, from Medieval Latin regestrum, registrum, alteration of Late Latin regesta “catalog, list,” noun use of neuter plural of Latin regestus “carried back, collected,” past participle of regerere “to carry back, pile up, collect,” from re- re- + gerere “to carry, conduct, display”; (for the verb) Middle English registren, from Middle French registrer, from Medieval Latin registrāre, derivative of regestrum, registrum

Explanation

Register has several meanings, but one of the most common is to write down or record officially. Like registering your car with the DMV and registering for classes at the beginning of a semester. Someone needs to register all the ways you can use the word register: As a noun it means the actual book that you record things in. But a register is also the range of sound your voice can make, and that thing the checkout lady uses to ring up your grocery bill. As a verb, register means to mark down officially or sign up, but also to show emotion: if cats and dogs rain from the sky, your face will likely register a look of disbelief.

Example Sentences

“We encourage you to register and come prepared — for example, bringing a cart to carry items.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

A vast majority of US states and territories also automatically register men for selective service when driver's licenses are issued.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

The heat in this dish should register as warmth and pepper — a steady hum — not a dare.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

The disorder causes constant, relentless hunger through hypothalamic dysfunction, where the brain fails to register fullness, often leading to life-threatening obesity.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Dominic, the guy who usually worked the register in the mornings, was pushing a pencil across the back of a brown paper bag.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• enroll
• file
• join
• list
• record
• sign up