- 1 one thing on a list of things to buy, do, talk about, etc. What's the next item on the agenda? Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveindividual, particular, single, … prepositionitem of, item about, item on, … phrasesitem by item, an item on the agenda, list, menu, etc. See full entry
- 2 a single article or object Can I pay for each item separately? The computer was my largest single item of expenditure. A windproof jacket is an essential item of clothing for hillwalking. This clock is a collector's item (= because it is rare and valuable). Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveindividual, particular, single, … prepositionitem of, item about, item on, … phrasesitem by item, an item on the agenda, list, menu, etc. See full entry See related entries: Online shopping
- 3 a single piece of news in a newspaper, on television, etc. an item of news/a news item I heard an item on the radio about women engineers. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveindividual, particular, single, … prepositionitem of, item about, item on, … phrasesitem by item, an item on the agenda, list, menu, etc. See full entry See related entries: TV shows, Journalism Word Originlate Middle English (as an adverb): from Latin, ‘in like manner, also’. The noun sense arose (late 16th cent.) from the use of the adverb to introduce each statement in a list.Extra examples Computers became a consumer item in the early 1990s. Each individual item has a number. I keep essential items in my hand luggage when I fly. Several items of clothing were found near the scene of the crime. Several valuable items were stolen. The 1970s American model has become something of a collector’s item. The programme featured an item on clothes for young children. There is a higher tax on luxury items. a major item of expenditure a news item about drugs in the workplace household items such as brushes and bedclothes the main item on the agenda She opened the case and took out several items of clothing. There was an item on the radio about women engineers. This clock is a collector’s item. What’s the next item on the agenda?Idioms
noun jump to other results
BrE BrE//ˈaɪtəm//; NAmE NAmE//ˈaɪtəm//
Online shopping, TV shows, Journalism(informal) to be involved in a romantic or sexual relationship Are they an item?
Check pronunciation: item
