# register

/ˈɹɛdʒɪstɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈɛdʒɪstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/register
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. official record

noun · CEFR B2

an official list or book of names, items, or events.

For teachers: a formal or official recording of items, names, or transactions, often maintained in a dedicated book or database.

- The teacher checked the class register to see who was absent today.
- The parish maintains a historical register of births and deaths dating back to the seventeenth century.

### 2. cash machine

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a machine used in a shop for keeping money and recording sales.

For teachers: a cash register; a mechanical or electronic device for calculating and recording sales transactions.

- The shop assistant opened the register to give the customer their change.
- Modern point-of-sale systems have largely replaced the traditional mechanical register in high-volume retail environments.

### 3. style of language

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the way you speak or write to fit a specific situation, like being formal or casual.

For teachers: a variety of language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting.

- You should use a formal register when writing a job application letter.
- The candidate failed to adjust his register during the interview, using overly colloquial phrasing that the board found inappropriate for the role.

### 4. musical range

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the range of notes a voice or instrument can play.

For teachers: the specific part of the range of a voice or instrument.

- The singer moved easily from her low register to very high notes.
- The clarinet is known for its distinct tonal qualities in the lower chalumeau register compared to its brighter upper notes.

### 5. computer memory

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a very small, fast piece of memory inside a computer's brain.

For teachers: a small amount of high-speed memory within a processor used for immediate data manipulation.

- The CPU stores the result of the calculation in a register.
- Optimising the code required the developer to manage how data was moved between the main memory and the internal registers.

### 6. to sign up

verb · CEFR B1

to put your name on an official list for something.

For teachers: to enter one's name or details in an official record or list.

- You need to register at the doctor's office before you can see a nurse.
- New residents are encouraged to register to vote as soon as they establish a permanent address in the district.

### 7. to notice or show

verb · CEFR B2

to notice something or to show a feeling on your face.

For teachers: to perceive or comprehend something; to express an emotion through facial expression or gesture.

- Shock started to register on his face when he heard the news.
- It took a few seconds for the gravity of the situation to register with the onlookers.

## Examples

- The student used a formal register in her essay.
- Switching to a more casual register during the meeting helped the team feel more comfortable sharing their ideas.
- Linguistic competence involves not only mastering grammar and vocabulary but also understanding how to adjust one's register to suit the specific social and professional demands of a situation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.