English Reference

Word

record

/ˈɹɛkɝd/

Definitions

01stored information

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a written or digital account of facts or events kept for the future.

n. a formal or official account of facts, events, or transactions preserved in a permanent medium.

“The hospital keeps a detailed record of every patient's medical history.”

“The historical society maintains a meticulous record of all property transactions in the district dating back to the nineteenth century.”

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'keep', 'maintain', or 'set'.

02best performance

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Sports

n. the best, fastest, or highest result ever reached in a sport or activity.

n. the most extreme known value of a variable, particularly regarding achievement in competitive events.

“She ran the race so fast that she broke the world record.”

“The athlete's performance was unprecedented, shattering a world record that had stood for over a decade.”

Usage

Commonly used with 'break', 'set', or 'hold'.

Synonyms

03music disc

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Music

n. a large black plastic disc that plays music.

n. a thin plastic disc, typically vinyl, carrying recorded sound in a continuous groove.

“My grandfather has a large collection of old jazz records in the attic.”

“Despite the dominance of digital streaming, many audiophiles still prefer the warm, tactile experience of playing a vinyl record.”

Synonyms

04data entry

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a single set of information in a database or computer list.

n. a collection of related data items treated as a single unit within a database or file.

“Each record in the database contains a customer's name and address.”

“The software failed to update the specific record because of a conflict in the primary key field.”

Synonyms

05to capture sound or video

A2 · Elementary

v. to store sound, music, or moving pictures using electronic equipment.

v. to convert sound or visual images into a permanent form for subsequent reproduction.

“The band went into the studio to record their new album.”

“Security cameras are positioned to record any activity near the main entrance during non-business hours.”

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires an object.

Synonyms

06to write down facts

B1 · Intermediate

v. to write down or store information so it can be looked at later.

v. to register or set down in writing or other permanent form for the purpose of preservation.

“Please record your daily expenses in this notebook.”

“The researchers were instructed to record every observation, no matter how insignificant it might initially appear.”

07unprecedented

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. higher or better than anything that has happened before.

adj. surpassing all previous levels or achievements; used attributively.

“The company reported record profits for the third year in a row.”

“The region experienced record temperatures this summer, leading to widespread concerns about the local water supply.”

Usage

Always placed before the noun it modifies.

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “record” in context.

01. accurate record 02. data record 03. detailed record 04. historical record 05. maintain record

Etymology

From Middle English recorde, borrowed from Old French record, from recorder. See record.

From Middle English recorden (“to repeat, to report”), borrowed from Old French recorder (“to get by heart”), from Latin recordārī (“remember, call to mind”), from re- (“back, again”) + cor (“heart; mind”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Related words

Idioms

Domains

ComputingLawProgramming

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/record

English Reference