collector

noun

col·​lec·​tor kə-ˈlek-tər 

: one that collects: such as

a

: an official who collects funds or moneys

b

: a person who makes a collection

stamp collector

c

: an object or device that collects

the statuette was a dust collector

d

: solar collector

collectorship

kə-ˈlek-tər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of collector in a Sentence

He is an avid stamp collector.

The painting was purchased by a private collector.

The trash collectors came early today.

Recent Examples on the Web

But collectors’ editions are picking up interest among investors. —Rachel King, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

In terms of the current auction market, Wachter noted one of the factors attracting collectors to Old Masters is the ability to buy beautiful items for $10,000 to $30,000. —Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

A number of people showed up at the event dressed as trash collectors, or in literal garbage bags. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

The ne plus ultra of collector cars, the model took first in its class at Le Mans for two consecutive years and won the Tour de France outright in 1963 and 1964. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English collectour, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin collēctōr-, collēctor, from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing collector

• collector's item
• solar collector

Kids Definition

collector

noun

col·​lec·​tor kə-ˈlek-tər 

1

: a person whose job is to collect money due

tax collector

bill collector

2

: one that makes a collection

stamp collector

3

: an object or device that collects

the ornament was just a dust collector