noun

journal

JUR-nuhl

noun

A personal diary where someone regularly records thoughts or events.

"She has kept a journal every night since she was a teenager."

"He wrote about the trip in his travel journal."

A periodical publication, especially one focused on a specialized or academic subject.

"The findings were published in a medical journal."

"She subscribes to a journal on climate science."

A running record of financial transactions or of changes made to a system.

"The accountant entered the sale in the journal."

verb

To write regularly in a diary as a form of reflection.

"Her therapist suggested she journal every morning."

How to Use Journal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA personal diary, or a regularly published specialist magazine/paper, or a financial record book.

Easily confused with

journal → diary →

Common pairings

keep a journal academic journal journal entry

Word Forms

journaled past tense, journalled past tense, journaled past tense, journalled past tense, journals plural, journaux plural, journals plural, journals singular, journals singular

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She has kept a _____ every night since she was a teenager.

Etymology

From Old French jornel ("daily"), ultimately from Latin diurnus ("of the day") — the same root as "diurnal".

Rhymes for journal

nocturnal

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