record
/ˈɹɛkɔːd/
The word centers on the concept of preservation—capturing a fleeting moment, a piece of data, or a peak achievement so that it becomes permanent and verifiable. As a noun for documentation, it carries a sense of officialdom and evidence. It is often associated with bureaucracy, law, and history, where a "record" serves as the final authority on what actually happened. In the context of achievement, it represents a benchmark of human or mechanical limit. Here, the feeling is one of competition and prestige; breaking a record is an act of surpassing the previous gold standard. As a verb, it shifts from the result to the process. It implies intentionality and precision, whether in the clinical setting of taking meeting minutes or the creative atmosphere of a music studio.
Countable when referring to a specific achievement ('a world record') or a physical vinyl disc ('a jazz record'). Uncountable when referring to a general history of behavior or a permanent account of events ('he has a clean criminal record').
💬Casual Conversation
CHLOE HOW DO I PLAY THE RECORD ON THIS MACHINE
grandma please just chill, i'll help you when i'm done cramming.
Meanings
A thing constituting a piece of evidence about the past, especially an account kept in writing or some other permanent form.
"The company keeps a detailed record of all its transactions."
The best performance or most remarkable achievement of a particular kind.
"She broke the world record for the 100-meter sprint."
A thin plastic disc on which music is recorded.
"I bought an old vinyl record from the thrift store."
Etymology
Derived from the Old French word record, which stems from the Latin recordari, meaning to remember or call to mind. This is a compound of re-, meaning again, and cor, meaning heart, reflecting an ancient belief that memory was centered in the heart. Over time, the term evolved from the mental act of recalling to the physical act of documenting information for future retrieval.