collator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “collator” mean?
A person, machine, or program that collects, arranges, and organizes items (typically documents or data) into a specific, logical order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, machine, or program that collects, arranges, and organizes items (typically documents or data) into a specific, logical order.
In computing, a program or device that merges and sequences multiple sets of sorted data into a single sorted set. Historically, a person who compared texts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally technical in both variants.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both regions.
Frequency
Equally rare in general use; confined to specific technical fields (IT, printing, archives) in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “collator” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] acts as a collator for [PLURAL NOUN].Collate [PLURAL NOUN] with a/an [ADJECTIVE] collator.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collator” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The software is designed to collate the responses automatically.
- She will collate the findings into a master report.
American English
- The program collates data from multiple sources.
- We need to collate these documents before the meeting.
adverb
British English
- [No established adverb]
American English
- [No established adverb]
adjective
British English
- [No direct adjectival form. Use 'collating' as participle adjective, e.g., 'the collating function'].
American English
- [No direct adjectival form. Use 'collating' as participle adjective, e.g., 'a collating machine'].
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to office equipment that gathers and sequences multi-page documents, e.g., 'The mailroom uses a high-speed collator for the monthly reports.'
Academic
Used in library science, philology, or historical research for someone who compares manuscript versions. In computer science, refers to a software component.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard term in printing, photocopying, and computing for a device/program that merges pre-sorted sequences.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collator”
- Misspelling as 'collater' or 'colator'.
- Using it as a synonym for a simple 'printer' or 'copier' (it specifically sequences).
- Incorrect stress in AmE: pronouncing it /ˈkoʊ.leɪ.tər/ (like 'collateral').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A printer creates marks on paper. A collator takes already-printed sheets (or digital data sets) and arranges them in a specified order. A printer may have a collator built in as a feature.
Yes, though it's now rare. Historically, a scholar comparing texts was a collator. In modern offices, a person performing that manual task might be described as 'collating' documents.
The main verb is 'to collate', meaning to collect, compare, and arrange in order.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. Most learners will not need it unless they work in specific technical or administrative fields.
A person, machine, or program that collects, arranges, and organizes items (typically documents or data) into a specific, logical order.
Collator is usually formal, technical in register.
Collator: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈleɪ.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.leɪ.t̬ɚ/ / kəˈleɪ.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COLLATOR as a COLLecTOR that puts things in ORDER. It collects and orders.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENCING; A MACHINE IS A PERSON (personification: the 'collator' does the job a clerk once did).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you LEAST likely encounter the term 'collator'?