anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthä-lə-jē How to pronounce anthology (audio)
plural anthologies
Synonyms of anthology
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
ˌan(t)-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce anthology (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of anthology

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition to Jim Murray’s anthology, here are some other sports books that have inspired Wickersham. — Aaron Reiss, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The character was based on Candace Bushnell and her own newspaper column and 1996 book anthology, both also named Sex and the City. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Her poetry, essays, and short stories have appeared in various publications and anthologies including the New York Times, Take the Mic, Color Outside the Lines, Vampires Never Get Old and A Universe of Wishes. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 Some schools might generate only a handful of print; a team like Ohio State, on the other hand, produces its own anthology. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anthology

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

Rhymes for anthology

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Browse Nearby Words

anthologize
anthology
antholysis
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Cite this Entry

“Anthology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthology. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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