# registry

/ˈɹɛdʒɪstɹi/ (US) · /ɹˈɛdʒɪstɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/registry
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. official record office

noun · CEFR B2

a place or office where official records and lists are kept.

For teachers: a physical or digital repository where official registers are maintained for public or legal reference.

- The couple went to the local registry to sign their marriage documents.
- The land registry provides a transparent record of property ownership, ensuring that all historical transactions are documented for legal clarity.

### 2. the act of registering

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of putting a name or information on an official list.

For teachers: the process or act of entering information into an official register.

- Registry of the new ship took several weeks to complete.
- The formal registry of the vessel under a foreign flag allowed the company to navigate different maritime tax regulations.

### 3. computer settings database

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a database that stores settings and options for a computer's operating system.

For teachers: a hierarchical database used by operating systems to store configuration settings for hardware, software, and user preferences.

- You should be careful when changing settings in the system registry.
- The software installer modified several keys within the Windows registry to ensure the application launched correctly upon system startup.

Usage: Usually used with 'the' when referring to the Windows Registry.

## Examples

- The computer stores all your software settings in the registry.
- Before you can get married, you must ensure your names are entered into the local civil registry.
- Advanced users occasionally modify the system registry to disable unwanted background processes, though incorrect changes can lead to significant operating system instability or boot failures.

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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.