collector

1 of 2

noun (1)

col·​lec·​tor kə-ˈlek-tər How to pronounce collector (audio)
Synonyms of collectornext
: one that collects: such as
a
: an official who collects funds or monies
b
: a person who makes a collection
stamp collector
c
: an object or device that collects
the statuette was a dust collector
d
: solar collector
collectorship
kə-ˈlek-tər-ˌship How to pronounce collector (audio)
noun

collectorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

col·​lec·​tor·​ship kə-ˈlek-tər-ˌship How to pronounce collectorship (audio)
plural -s
1
: the jurisdiction, residence, office, or staff of a collector
2
: the practice of one that collects

Examples of collector in a Sentence

Noun (1) He is an avid stamp collector. The painting was purchased by a private collector. The trash collectors came early today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
While some have raised concerns about the loss of synergies between the two fairs and DDP’s suitability for an art fair of this scale, Hong, the adviser, said Shinsegae Group’s broad reach could help the fair cultivate new collectors. — Payal Uttam, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Jordan’s Ferrari represents Joopiter’s entry into the surging high-end collector-car market. — Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 If the collector doesn’t want to travel and to visit us, that’s the first point. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 Currently, informal waste pickers and scrap collectors make up a large portion of Vietnam’s collection system, so the new policy also will factor in that labor so that workers aren’t left behind. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collector

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English collectour, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin collēctōr-, collēctor, from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of collector was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing collector

Rhymes for collector

See All Rhymes for collector

Browse Nearby Words

collect on delivery
collector
collector's item
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Collector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collector. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

collector

noun
col·​lec·​tor kə-ˈlek-tər How to pronounce collector (audio)
1
: a person whose job is to collect money due
tax collector
bill collector
2
: one that makes a collection
stamp collector
3
: an object or device that collects
the ornament was just a dust collector

More from Merriam-Webster on collector

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for collector

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