ledger

[ lej-er ]

noun

1. Bookkeeping. an account book or digital file of final entry, in which business transactions are recorded:

   The Controller must oversee, review, and approve of all posting of financial activity into the General Ledger.

2. Computers. a decentralized public database of permanent records of financial transactions, distributed over a network and typically having the form of a blockchain, used especially in cryptocurrency systems:

   When users send or receive a payment in bitcoin, network nodes verify the transaction and then record it in a shared public ledger.

3. Building Trades.
   1. a horizontal board attached to a wall to support the ends of the joists of another structure such as a deck, porch, roof, etc.:

      As the cause of the porch’s collapse, the inspector cited a ledger attached with improper screws.

   2. (in scaffolding) a horizontal board or metal tube attached to uprights, either to support the ends of the boards of a platform or for use as a handrail:

      Arrange the ledgers so the platforms slope slightly outwards, carrying rain away from the face of the building.

   3. ribbon ( def 8 ).
4. Also called ledger stone. a flat slab of stone laid over a grave or tomb:

   I had a Bible verse engraved on his ledger, ending with the words “Rest in peace.”

5. Also leger. Angling, Chiefly British. a lead sinker with a hole in one end through which the line passes, enabling the bait and the sinker to rest on the bottom and allowing the fish to take the bait without detecting the sinker:

   If fishing for bass in particular, the ledger is preferred.

Ledger

¹

/ ˈlɛdʒə /

noun

1. LedgerHeath19792008MAustralianFILMS AND TV: actor Heath(cliffe) Andrew . 1979–2008, Australian film actor. His films include The Patriot (2000), A Knight's Tale (2001) and Brokeback Mountain (2005)

ledger

²

/ ˈlɛdʒə /

noun

1. accounting the principal book in which the commercial transactions of a company are recorded
2. a flat horizontal slab of stone
3. a horizontal scaffold pole fixed to two upright poles for supporting the outer ends of putlogs
4. angling
   1. a wire trace that allows the weight to rest on the bottom and the bait to float freely
   2. ( as modifier )

      ledger tackle

verb

1. intr angling to fish using a ledger

Word History and Origins

Origin of ledger¹

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier legger “book,” probably equivalent to legg(en) “to set down, lay” + -er noun suffix; lay ¹, -er ¹, ledge

Word History and Origins

Origin of ledger¹

C15 legger book retained in a specific place, probably from leggen to lay ¹

Example Sentences

Her ledger shows Sin’s been trying to keep up with her water payments.

From Voice of San Diego

Goods must have a limited number of components in order to be better tracked by the blockchain, the verifiable digital ledger underlying cryptocurrencies.

From Ozy

That’s where IBM’s Kelley thinks blockchain technology, the digital ledger system that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, can play a vital role.

From Fortune

This dynamic is leading some networks to consider new ways of erasing their ledgers, including simply refunding advertisers, according to agency executives.

From Digiday

The computer that solves the problem broadcasts the solution to others on the network and, in doing so, adds a block to the blockchain—a tamperproof ledger that serves as a public record of transactions.

From Fortune

Even with body parts taken off ledger, there is undeniably a lot of dough in plastics.

From The Daily Beast

After about 20 minutes, the maybe-still-maybe-not Star-Ledger employee came back outside.

From The Daily Beast

In addition to the Star-Ledger, Advance Publications owns, among other things, The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.

From The Daily Beast

Then he took another ledger from the table and ran over the leaves rapidly.

From The Daily Beast

I told him I should kill the cat when I came across her, but he only shook his head and turned to the open ledger before him.

From The Daily Beast

He took his accustomed seat at the desk, and placed a large ledger before him.

From Project Gutenberg

She is of good pedigree, as I can show thee if thee will step over to my mill and look at my ledger.

From Project Gutenberg

This he quickly opened with another key, and after slight search took out a small ledger covered with dark-red leather.

From Project Gutenberg

The ledger in which he kept the accounts of his office is now in the Post-office Department.

From Project Gutenberg

So it will be until the Great Recorder sums me up and closes my ledger account with a balance to profit or loss.

From Project Gutenberg