collation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “collation” mean?
The action of collecting and arranging items, especially documents or data, in a particular order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action of collecting and arranging items, especially documents or data, in a particular order; also, a formal meal.
In computing, the process of merging and sorting data from multiple sources. In law and publishing, the detailed comparison of texts to ensure consistency. In religion, a light meal permitted on fast days. As a verb: 'collate' means to collect, compare, and arrange systematically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'meal' sense is largely archaic in general AmE but retains specific use in certain religious contexts (e.g., Benedictine monastic life). In BrE, 'collation' as a light meal is slightly more recognised in historical/literary contexts. The clerical/computing senses dominate equally in both.
Connotations
In both: highly formal and precise for clerical/computing uses. The meal sense carries historical/religious connotations.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. Most common in IT, library science, law, and publishing. The meal sense is very rare in everyday language.
Grammar
How to Use “collation” in a Sentence
the collation of [plural noun]collation with [source]collation into [format/order]collation by [agent/criteria]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Please collate these reports by client surname.
- The software will automatically collate the responses.
American English
- We need to collate the data before the meeting.
- Her first task was to collate the witness statements.
adverb
British English
- (No adverb derived from 'collation')
American English
- (No adverb derived from 'collation')
adjective
British English
- (No direct adjective. Use 'collating' as a participle: 'a collating machine').
American English
- (No direct adjective. Use 'collating' as a participle: 'the collating function').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the gathering and organizing of reports, market data, or financial information for analysis. 'The team is responsible for the collation of quarterly sales figures.'
Academic
Used in research for data collection and systematic arrangement. 'The study's methodology included the collation of survey responses from five countries.'
Everyday
Virtually unused in casual conversation. Might be understood as 'putting things in order.'
Technical
Crucial in computing (database collation defines sorting rules), library science (collation of manuscripts), and law (collation of evidence).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collation”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “collation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collation”
- Using 'collation' to mean a general 'collection' without the implied ordering/checking. (Incorrect: 'a collation of rare stamps'. Correct: 'a collection of rare stamps').
- Confusing 'collation' (noun) with 'collation' as a verb (the verb is 'collate').
- Misspelling as 'collation' (correct) vs. 'colation' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Collection' is simply the act of gathering items. 'Collation' adds the specific ideas of systematic arrangement, comparison, and often checking for consistency or completeness. You collect data; you collate it into a report.
No, it is a formal, technical word. It is common in specific professional fields like IT, academia, law, and publishing, but rare in everyday conversation.
No. The noun is 'collation'. The verb form is 'collate'. A common mistake is saying 'I need to collation these papers' instead of 'I need to collate these papers'.
Both derive from Latin 'conferre' (to bring together). The 'meal' sense comes from the monastic practice of reading ('comparing') texts during a light meal. The 'ordering' sense comes from the idea of bringing items together for comparison and arrangement.
The action of collecting and arranging items, especially documents or data, in a particular order.
Collation is usually formal, technical in register.
Collation: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/ /ˌkɑːˈleɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common idioms use 'collation')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COLLEAGUE helping you COLLATE and put papers in order for a presentation. COLLATION is the result of that teamwork.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ORDER IS A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE (built by collating pieces).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'collation' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?