Anthology Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthä-lə-jē How to pronounce anthology (audio)
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 adjective

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 Among the fire fights, there's mystery, mischief, and even a few standalone anthology seasons — like season 8: Dreamland — that are downright fantastic. EW.com, 10 May 2024 Lone Star, which took 2023-24 off, and season two of its courtroom anthology Accused. Keep track of all the renewals and cancellations at the networks with THR’s broadcast scorecard. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for anthology 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anthology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthology was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near anthology

Cite this Entry

“Anthology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthology. Accessed 15 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

anthology

noun
an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthäl-ə-jē How to pronounce anthology (audio)
plural anthologies
: a collection of literary pieces
anthologist
-jəst
noun

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