collector

noun

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

Examples of collector in a Sentence

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.
The legendary British art collector has spent half a century acquiring paintings, sculpture, and furniture, along with nurturing contemporary creatives as a formidable patron. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026 While mingling among guests at the cocktail hour, Mamdani, who did indeed put on a tux for the occasion, posed for photos with First Lady Rama Duwaji and luminaries, such as collector Bernard Lumpkin and the artist Rashid Johnson. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026 Its eight stones, weighing just under 800 grams in total, were bought by a private collector, who sent a piece to the University of New Mexico for classification. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026 Berlant was a collector of both ancient Southwest pottery and Paleolithic stone objects. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collector

Word History

Etymology

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

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 1 Nov. 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

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