WordGarden.iojournal
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dʒˈɜːnəl/
US
- /ˈdʒɜrnəl/
Meanings
Noun
a personal written record of daily events, thoughts, or experiences
a periodical publication, especially one with scholarly or professional articles
an accounting book or record where transactions are first entered
More meaningsFewer meanings
the part of a shaft or axle that turns in a bearing
Verb
to write regularly in a personal journal
Beyond the definition
A journal can be a quiet, private place where you write down your thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences. In that sense, it is much like a diary. But the word also has a wider life: it can mean a serious publication, especially one that shares research or expert writing, or a written record of events and observations kept over time. If you journal about your day, you write about what happened and how you felt.
The word comes from the Old French journel, meaning "daily." That daily sense still lingers in the background, whether someone is keeping a personal record, reading a scientific publication, or following a newspaper with the word in its title.
A journal is fundamentally a record of events, experiences, or observations, but its form and purpose can vary widely. Most commonly, we think of a personal journal as a private space where someone writes down their thoughts, feelings, and daily happenings. This kind of journaling is often therapeutic, helping people process emotions and reflect on their lives. For example: "She kept a detailed journal during her travels through Europe."
However, "journal" also refers to a more formal publication, such as a scholarly journal or academic journal. These are periodicals containing articles written by experts in a particular field, often presenting original research or careful analysis. For instance: "The study was published in a leading medical journal."
Historically, "journal" could also refer to a daily newspaper, and that meaning still appears in the names of well-known publications such as The Wall Street Journal. In other contexts, the word can mean an official or practical record kept over time, such as a ship's journal, a travel journal, or a work journal.
The act of journaling (the verb form) means regularly writing in a record, whether for personal reflection, professional documentation, or creative expression. It is a practice that encourages self-awareness, critical thinking, and the preservation of memories. Whether it is a deeply personal space for introspection, a source of cutting-edge research, or a historical record of daily events, a journal is all about capturing and preserving information over time.
Examples
- 1
Personal writing
I wrote about the trip in my journal before bed.
- 2
Regular habit
She keeps a journal to clear her head after work.
- Phrasekeep a journal
write in it regularly
- 3
Travel records
The old box was full of letters, photos, and travel journals.
- 4
Medical publishing
His article was published in a medical journal last year.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Course reading
We had to read three journal articles for the course.
- Phrasejournal article
an article in an academic or professional journal
- 6
Personal routine
I started journaling every morning for ten minutes.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- field notes
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- keep a journal
- write in a journal
- journal entry
- travel journal
Word family
Explore
- reflection
- recordkeeping
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- journalnounverb
Forms
- journalspluralnounverb
- journaling-ing formverbnoun
- journaledpast tenseverbnoun