Logs

lɒɡz

nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
4 meanings1 idiom/phrase4 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

A length of a tree trunk, especially one that has been trimmed for timber.

lɒɡ

nounneutralBeginner
General

A thick piece of wood cut from a tree.

The house was built using massive cedar logs.

💡 Simply: Imagine cutting down a big tree, and then cutting it into sections. Those sections are logs! You might use them to build a cabin or make a cozy fire.

👶 For kids: A log is a big piece of wood that comes from a tree.

More Examples

2

We chopped the logs into smaller pieces for the fireplace.

How It's Used

Forestry

"The lumberjacks stacked the logs after felling the trees."

Fireplaces

"We used a few logs to keep the fire burning all night."

2

A written record of events or actions, often chronologically.

lɒɡ

nounneutralmedium
Technology

A record of events.

The ship's captain carefully maintained the ship's log.

💡 Simply: Imagine keeping a diary of what happened, like a record of your favorite video game, or what your computer is doing. Those records are called logs.

👶 For kids: A log is a paper or a computer record that keeps track of what happened.

More Examples

2

I need to check the activity logs to see who accessed the file.

How It's Used

Computer Science

"The system administrator reviewed the server logs to troubleshoot the problem."

Aviation

"The pilot kept a detailed log of the flight."

Tip:Think of a diary or journal, but in a more structured or technical context.
3

To cut down trees for timber.

lɒɡ

verbneutralmedium
General

To cut down trees.

The company is planning to log a large area of the forest.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're going out into the woods to cut down trees for wood. You're logging those trees.

👶 For kids: To log is to cut down trees to make logs.

More Examples

2

They logged the trees and sent them to the sawmill.

How It's Used

Forestry

"They are planning to log the forest."

Tip:Think of the process of taking trees and making logs out of them.
4

To record details of (an activity or occurrence) systematically.

lɒɡ

verbneutralmedium
Technology

To record information.

The program will log every error for debugging.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're writing down everything that happens in a book or computer file, so you have a record. That's logging!

👶 For kids: To log is to write things down in a record.

More Examples

2

The website logs all user logins for security purposes.

How It's Used

Computer Science

"The system will log all user activity."

Tip:Imagine recording information like a logbook.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

log off

To exit a computer system.

"Remember to log off when you're finished using the computer."

From Middle English logge, meaning a piece of wood, likely of Scandinavian origin (compare Old Norse *löggr*).

The noun 'log' has been used since the late 14th century, originally referring to a piece of wood. The verb form, to record, dates back to the 18th century.

Memory tip

Think of a large, heavy piece of wood used for building or burning.

Word Origin

LanguageOld Norse
Original meaning

"a piece of wood"

ship's logflight logsystem logfire logto log into log out

Common misspellings

loggsloags

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written