Register has 20 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Verb · Proper Noun
(music) the timbre that is characteristic of a certain range and manner of production of the human voice or of different pipe organ stops or of different musical instruments
"The opera singer's lower register sounded warm and rich, while her high register carried a bright, piercing quality."
a book in which names and transactions are listed
"The auditor opened the expense register to verify every transaction recorded for the department."
(computer science) memory device that is the part of computer memory that has a specific address and that is used to hold information of a specific kind
"The system crashed because a critical register failed to retain the temporary calculation needed for the next instruction."
an air passage (usually in the floor or a wall of a room) for admitting or excluding heated air from the room
"She carefully lifted the heavy grate to check if the register was clogged and blocking the warm air."
a regulator (as a sliding plate) for regulating the flow of air into a furnace or other heating device
"The old cast-iron stove still has its original brass register, which my grandfather adjusted every morning to keep the house warm during winter."
a cashbox with an adding machine to register transactions; used in shops to add up the bill
"The cashier tapped the keys on the register as she waited for the customer's payment."
A formal recording of names, events, transactions etc.
"The new clerk spent her morning meticulously registering every donation received during the charity gala."
In plain English: A register is a list of names that shows who is present at a school or event.
"The new policy did not register with most employees until they read the handbook."
Usage: Use this noun to refer to an official list or log where information is systematically recorded and kept on file. It often appears in phrases like "sign the register" when entering a venue or during legal proceedings.
record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions
"The receptionist asked me to register my arrival time so it could be added to our daily logbook."
have one's name listed as a candidate for several parties
"After deciding to run in multiple districts, she had to officially register her candidacy with each party separately."
manipulate the registers of an organ
"The skilled technician carefully manipulated the stops and pedals to register a rich, swelling chord on the ancient pipe organ."
To enter in a register.
"She registered her new business at the county clerk's office before opening for customers."
In plain English: To register means to officially sign up for something or record information about it.
"Please register for the upcoming workshop at the front desk."
A surname.
"The new neighbor, Mr. Register, waved hello from his porch while watering his hydrangeas."
The word register comes from the Medieval Latin registrum, which originally meant a list or items that were recorded. It entered English through this sense of keeping records rather than directly from its root meaning to carry back.