Etimology
From Middle English item, from Latin item (“also; in the same manner”). The present English meaning derives from a usage in lists, where the first entry would begin in primis (“firstly”) or imprimis, and the other entries with item (“also, moreover”). Later, the members of lists were referred to as "items".
noun
item (plural items)
A distinct physical object.
(by extension, video games) An object that can be picked up for later use.
A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account.
(psychometrics) A question on a test, which may include its answers.
A matter for discussion in an agenda.
(informal) Two people who are having a romantic or sexual relationship with each other.
A short article in a newspaper.
(obsolete) A hint; an innuendo.
(India) Short for item girl.
Examples
Tweezers are great for manipulating small items.
The San Juan market is Mexico City's most famous deli of exotic meats, where an adventurous shopper can hunt down hard-to-find critters […] . But the priciest items in the market aren't the armadillo steaks or even the bluefin tuna.
the items in a bill
In response to the first item, we deny all wrongdoing.
Beyond being mere items of a legal code, they [the mitzvot] are the very basis of the relationship that God and the people Israel have established.
The exam has 100 items, each of which includes a correct response and three distractors.
The first item for discussion is the budget for next year's picnic.
Jack and Jill are an item.
Are we an item? Girl, quit playin' / "We're just friends," what are you sayin'?
an item concerning the weather
A secret item was given to some of the bishops […] to absent themselves.
In this chapter, we will attempt to trace the course of initiation into the classical arts, from the self-taught gyrations of Bollywood items to the serious rigours of a classical Indian dance form.
Related words
synonyms
(object): article, object, thing
(line of text having a legal or semantic meaning):
(matter for discussion): subject, topic
(two people who are having a relationship with each other): couple
(psychometrics): test/assessment question
hyponyms
collector's item
negative polarity item
polarity item
positive polarity item
subitem
verb
item (third-person singular simple present items, present participle iteming, simple past and past participle itemed)
(transitive) To make a note of.
Related words
related terms
itemize
adverb
item (not comparable)
likewise