col ‧ lec ‧ tion S2 W1 /kəˈlekʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ collection , ↑ collector , ↑ collective , ↑ collectable , collectible, ↑ collectivism , ↑ collectivization ; adjective : ↑ collected , ↑ collective , ↑ collectable , collectible, ↑ collectivist ; verb : ↑ collect , ↑ collectivize ; adverb : ↑ collectively ]
1 . SET/GROUP [countable]
a) a set of similar things that are kept or brought together because they are attractive or interesting ⇨ collect , collector :
a stamp collection
my record collection
collection of
a collection of Japanese vases
b) a group of objects together in the same place:
a collection of empty wine bottles on the back porch
2 . MONEY [countable] the act of asking people to give you money for an organization that helps people, or during a church service, or the money collected in this way ⇨ collect
collection for
Every Christmas we have a collection for a local charity.
We’ll be taking up a collection at the end of tonight’s service.
3 . RENT/DEBTS/TAXES [uncountable] the act of obtaining money that is owed to you ⇨ collect , collector :
a debt collection agency
4 . BRINGING TOGETHER [uncountable] the act of bringing together things of the same type from different places to form a group ⇨ collect :
a computerized data collection system
5 . TAKING SOMETHING AWAY [uncountable and countable] the act of taking something from a place ⇨ collect :
Garbage collections are made every Tuesday morning.
Please collect your purchases from the customer collection point.
6 . FASHION [countable] the clothes designed by a fashion company for a particular season:
Donna Karen’s new spring collection
7 . BOOKS/MUSIC [countable] several stories, poems, pieces of music etc that are in one book or on one record
collection of
a new collection of Frost’s poetry
8 . PEOPLE [countable usually singular] a group of people, especially people you think are strange or unusual in some way
collection of
There was an interesting collection of people at the wedding.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + collection
▪ an art collection
the National Gallery’s art collection
▪ a stamp/coin/book/glass etc collection
an impressive Roman coin collection
▪ a CD/record/music collection
Have you seen his CD collection?
▪ a photographic collection
The museum’s photographic collection dates from the nineteenth century.
▪ a museum collection
The specimens are now part of a fine museum collection in London.
▪ a library collection
Most lecturers are keen to build up library collections in their subjects.
▪ a private collection (=belonging to a person rather than a museum, gallery etc)
Many of the paintings are now in private collections.
▪ a national collection
France has many national art collections.
▪ a permanent collection
The art gallery hosts exhibitions and a permanent collection.
▪ a large collection ( also an extensive collection formal )
The museum has an extensive collection of Greek statues.
■ verbs
▪ have a collection
She has an extensive collection of Chinese vases.
▪ start a collection
I think I might start a stamp collection.
▪ build up a collection
He gradually built up a collection of plants from all over the world.
▪ acquire/assemble/amass a collection formal
The two men amassed a remarkable collection of medieval manuscripts.
▪ something holds/houses a collection formal
The museum holds a comprehensive collection of photographs from that period.
▪ a collection consists of/contains something
The collection consists of some 500 items.
▪ a collection includes something
The collection includes paintings both in oils and in watercolours.