What does "album" mean?

1. (music collection) a collection of songs or music tracks released together as a single product. 2. (photo/stamp book) a book with blank pages used for keeping photos, stamps, or other collected items. 3. (Ancient Roman tablet) in Ancient Rome, a white board used for writing public notices.

album

US //ˈæɫbəm// UK //ˈælbəm// al·bum

1 music collection (n.)
A2 Elementary Music

a collection of songs or music tracks released together as a single product.

a collection of audio recordings issued as a single unit on any medium, such as a CD, vinyl record, or digital download.

Example

The band is going into the studio next month to record their third album.

Example

The artist's debut album received critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of jazz and electronic elements, eventually reaching the top of the charts.
- record
- release
- LP
- single
2 photo/stamp book (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a book with blank pages used for keeping photos, stamps, or other collected items.

a book designed with pockets or adhesive pages for the preservation and display of photographs, stamps, or autographs.

Example

We spent the evening looking through an old photo album from my parents' wedding.

Example

She carefully placed the rare Victorian stamps into her collection album, ensuring each one was protected by a clear plastic sleeve.
- scrapbook
- folder

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3 Ancient Roman tablet (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic

in Ancient Rome, a white board used for writing public notices.

a white tablet or public register in Ancient Rome on which the praetor's edicts and other official announcements were inscribed.

Example

The citizens gathered in the forum to read the new laws posted on the album.

Example

Historians noted that the praetor used the album to communicate essential legal changes to the Roman populace during the Republican era.
- tablet
- register

Origin

Borrowed from Latin album (“blank white writing tablet”), from albus (“white”).