Meaning of record In English

• 0 to store sounds or moving pictures using electronic equipment so that they can be heard or seen later:

  • Cliff Richard has recorded more number one hit songs than any other British pop star.

  • We recorded their wedding on video.

  • I tried to call her, but all I got was a recorded message saying that she was away for the weekend.

  • Was the concert live or was it recorded (= made before being broadcast)?

• 1 to keep information for the future, by writing it down or storing it on a computer:

  • She records everything that happens to her in her diary.

  • Unemployment is likely to reach the highest total that has ever been recorded.

  • [ + that ] In his journal, Captain Scott recorded that he and his companions were weakened by lack of food.

  • The coroner recorded (= decided) a verdict of accidental death.

  • The thermometer recorded a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius.

• 2 a piece of information or a description of an event that is written on paper or stored on a computer:

  • The weather centre keeps a record of the weather.

  • This summer has been the hottest on record (= the hottest summer known about).

  • A person's medical records are confidential.

  • He is well known to the police and has a long criminal record (= a list kept by the police of his previous crimes).

  • I won't fly with an airline that has a bad safety record (= whose aircraft have often had accidents).

  • And, just for the record, we were never any more than good friends.

• 3 a flat plastic disc on which music is recorded:

  • Would you like to listen to some records?

  • The Beatles' first hit record was "Love Me Do".

• 4 the best or fastest ever done:

  • He ran the 100 metres in 9.79 seconds and broke/smashed the world record.

  • She set/established a new European record in the high jump.

• 5 at a higher level than ever achieved before:

  • The long hot summer has led to a record harvest this year.

  • Inflation has reached record levels.

  • We finished the work in record time (= faster than had ever been done before).

• 6 to keep information for the future by writing it down or storing it on a computer:

  • She carefully recorded the events of the meeting.

  • Wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour were recorded.

• 7 to put sounds or pictures onto magnetic tape or a computer using electronic equipment so that they can be heard or seen later:

  • The Beatles recorded many terrific albums over the years.

  • When I tried to phone her, all I got was a recorded message.

• 8 the best or fastest ever done:

  • She set a new world record in the high jump.

  • Sales this season broke/shattered the record (= were better than ever before).

• 9 a flat, plastic disk on which music is recorded

• 10 a piece of information or a description of an event that is written on paper or stored in a computer:

  • [ C ] Did anyone make a record of what the president said at that meeting?

  • [ C ] All medical records are kept confidential.

  • [ C ] She has a long criminal record (= there is official information about many crimes she has done).

  • [ U ] This summer has been the hottest on record (= the hottest summer known about).

  • [ C ] During his twenty years as a football coach, he compiled an outstanding record.

• 11 at a higher level than ever achieved before:

  • Farmers in the Midwest are reporting a record harvest this year.

• 12 a piece of written information about something that is kept so that people can refer to it later:

  • The records show that the company employed a staff of 300 in the 1990s.

  • Keep a record of all transactions.

  • It's important to maintain up-to-date financial records.

  • company/financial/personnel records

  • computer/electronic records

• 13 an achievement that is better than anything that has happened before:

  • set/hold/break a record Sales this year have broken all records.

  • Hotel bookings are at a pace to set a new record this year.

• 14 the previous behaviour and achievements of a person or an organization:

  • When it comes to dealing with shareholders, his record is impressive.

  • have a good/poor/excellent record on sth They have a very poor record on HR issues.

  • record as sth She defended her record as union chief during a lengthy interview.

• 15 to be officially written down and available to the public:

  • His views on the proposed merger are a matter of public record.

• 16 to say or write something officially so that it can be known by everyone:

  • I'm on record as saying that I support the new policy.

  • The chair went on record to say that the committee opposed the proposal.

  • My objections to the scheme are on record.

• 17 used to show that you want something to be written down exactly, or if you want to correct something that someone has said:

  • For the record, I can categorically state that I was unaware of these developments.

  • Just for the record, my title is Dr. not Ms.

• 18 used to show that what is being said is unofficial and should not be written down or told to other people:

  • He insisted that parts of his interview be off the record.

  • Speaking off the record, she admitted that she had doubts about the project.

• 19 written down in an official record:

  • Next spring's welfare benefit increases will be some of the smallest on record.

• 20 to make sure that something is officially written down so that people will know what has been said or done:

  • I would like to put on record my disagreement with the conclusions of the meeting.

• 21 at a higher level than ever achieved before:

  • Inflation has reached record levels.

  • The tax will hit a record number of taxpayers next year.

• 22 to write down information about something so that people can refer to it later:

  • Participants were asked to record their activities in a weekly diary.

  • It is advisable to record all details of changes to the job description.

• 23 to experience or show a profit or loss, or a rise or fall in value:

  • record a loss/gain/profit The firm recorded pre-tax profits of over $10 million.

  • We may be forced to record a loss this year.

  • Overnight the Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded its biggest one-day jump since early February.