anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural anthologies

1

: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music

an anthology of American poetry

2

: assortment

… an anthology of threadbare clichés of … bistro cuisine …

—Jay Jacobs

anthological

ˌan(t)-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• album
• collectanea
• compendium
• compilation
• florilegium
• miscellany
• reader

Examples of anthology in a Sentence

an anthology of American poetry

The band will be releasing an anthology of their earlier albums.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prime Gaming subscribers can pick up ten PC games for free to celebrate Secret Level, the upcoming Prime Video anthology series focused on iconic video game franchises. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

For the uninitiated, Accused is a Fox Television anthology series that examines how ordinary people suddenly find themselves in complex circumstances after a major crime has been committed. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Holliman had done several guest-starring roles on 1950s TV before making history as the focus of the first episode of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling’s landmark anthology series that put ordinary people in extraordinary situations. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024

So consider this an anthology of top architectural attractions, a compendium of cultural wonders, and a shortlist of the most sure-to-impress natural scenery on the planet. —Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & New Latin; French anthologie, going back to Middle French, borrowed from New Latin anthologia, borrowed from Greek anthología "gathering of flowers," from anthológos "flower-gathering" (from antho- antho- + -logos, nominal ablaut derivative of légein "to gather, collect") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at legend

Note: The sense "collection of extracts" is found earlier in the parallel formation anthológion, attested in Byzantine Greek.

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

plural anthologies

: a collection of literary pieces

anthologist

-jəst

noun