album

American  

[al-buhm] / ˈæl bəm /

noun

1. 1. a bound or loose-leaf book consisting of blank pages, pockets, envelopes, etc., for storing or displaying photographs, stamps, or the like, or for collecting autographs.

   2. a digital collection of photographs, stored on a computer or mobile device for viewing, displaying, or sharing.

2. 1. a record or set of records containing several musical selections, a complete play or opera, etc..

      Her album of folk songs will be out next month.

   2. the package or container for such a record or records.

      The album has a pocket for each record.

   3. a collection of audio recordings released together as a collected work.

      The digital release of their debut album sold more copies than expected.

3. a printed book containing an anthology of writings, reproductions of photographs or artwork, musical compositions, etc.

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album British  

/ ˈælbəm /

noun

1. a book or binder consisting of blank pages, pockets, or envelopes for keeping photographs, stamps, autographs, drawings, poems, etc

2. one or more CDs, cassettes, or long-playing records released as a single item

3. a booklike holder containing sleeves for gramophone records

4. an anthology, usually large and illustrated

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Etymology

Origin of album

First recorded in 1610–20; 1955–60 album for def. 2; from Latin: neuter singular of albus “white,” i.e., a blank (tablet) painted white for writing on

Example Sentences

“Can’t Stop,” the second single from the band’s Grammy-winning 2002 album “By the Way,” is their longest-charting hit.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

But when the label released the full album digitally in 2022, “I don’t know that anybody really cared,” Shipley says.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, their album, Arirang, is at number four in the album chart.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Her name is Shira Small, and in 1974, she recorded an incredible album, “The Line of Time and the Plane of Now,” when she was 17.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It was as if he looked at every album in the store before making a decision.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• collection
• scrapbook