registry
This term conveys a sense of formal authorization and permanence. It is typically used in administrative, legal, or technical environments where the act of recording is a prerequisite for validity or organization. While a list is a general collection of items, a registry implies a sanctioned, authoritative source of truth managed by a governing body or a specific system.
In modern consumer culture, the word has shifted toward a commercial context regarding gift-giving. In this sense, it functions as a curated wish list that coordinates the needs of the recipient with the intentions of the giver, moving the term from a purely bureaucratic function to one of social coordination.
Meanings
An official list or record of names, events, or items, often maintained by a government or organization.
The birth registry is kept at the local town hall.
A place or office where official records are kept and registered.
She went to the registry to file the deed of sale.
A list of gifts that a couple chooses for their wedding or a baby shower, typically hosted by a store.
We checked their wedding registry to see what they needed for their new home.
In computing, a hierarchical database used by the Windows operating system to store configuration settings and options.
The software installer modified a key in the Windows registry to set the default program.