diary

noun

di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē How to pronounce diary (audio)
plural diaries
1
: a record of events, transactions, or observations kept daily or at frequent intervals : journal
especially : a daily record of personal activities, reflections, or feelings
2
: a book intended or used for a diary

Examples of diary in a Sentence

has diligently kept a diary since she was 15
Recent Examples on the Web Kate has not been seen in public for months following an abdominal operation at a London hospital that the palace said was planned, but which necessitated her diary to be cleared of upcoming events due to a lengthy recovery period. Rob Picheta, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 It's told through her own words by drawing on her diary, revealing letters, essays and print interviews. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 Louis remarried, and the family eventually settled in the Bronx, where Candice started her first diary on New Year’s Day, 1962. Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 One of the most well-known was Anne Frank, the Jewish teenager immortalized in the pages of her diary. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 Journal entries can be kept privately, according to Apple, with the option to further lock the diary behind a user's passcode or Face ID. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 The author’s diaries over the last 10 years, arranged alphabetically by sentence. Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Gies ultimately found Frank's diary and preserved it so that she and Frank's dad Otto (played by Liev Schreiber) could later share it with the world. Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Using these pamphlets, along with trial documents, edicts and other contemporary diaries, historian Bradford Bouley explores the context of this unusual story of cannibalism, the veracity of the sources, and the meaning of meat and the ways it was produced in early modern Rome. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diary.' 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

Latin diarium, from dies day — more at deity

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diary was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near diary

Cite this Entry

“Diary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diary. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diary

noun
di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē How to pronounce diary (audio)
plural diaries
: a daily record especially of personal experiences and thoughts
also : a book for keeping such a record
Etymology

from Latin diarium "a record of business dealings or activities during the day," from dies "day" — related to meridian, sunday see Word History at sunday

More from Merriam-Webster on diary

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