Meaning & use
log
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Meanings
nouncountable
A thick piece of wood from a tree trunk or branch, often used as fuel.
Grammar: Countable; plural 'logs'.
Patterns
- a log fire
- put a log on the fire
They sat around the log fire telling stories.
He chopped the log into smaller pieces for kindling.
The cabin was built from rough logs.
nouncountable
An official written record of events, especially one kept regularly.
Grammar: Countable; often used in phrases like 'keep a log' or 'log book'.
Patterns
- keep a log
- a log of something
- log book
The captain kept a detailed log of the voyage.
Please sign the visitors' log at reception.
The pilot recorded the weather conditions in the log.
verbtransitive
To record facts or events in an official or systematic way.
Grammar: Takes an object: log the details.
Patterns
- log something
- log something in
- log something as something
The receptionist logs every phone call.
You need to log your hours in the timesheet.
The system logs all user activity automatically.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To cut down trees for timber.
Grammar: Can take an object (log a forest) or be used without one (they log in the winter).
Patterns
- log an area
- log for something
The company was fined for logging protected forest.
They log in the winter when the ground is frozen.
Illegal logging destroys animal habitats.
Word forms
| plural | logs |
|---|---|
| third person singular | logs |
| past tense | logged |
| past participle | logged |
| -ing form | logging |
Common combinations
- log fire
- We warmed ourselves by the log fire.
- keep a log
- Sailors must keep a log of their journey.
- log in
- You need to log in to access your account.
- log out
- Don't forget to log out when you finish.
- log book
- The driver recorded the trip in the log book.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- logging noun
- The activity of cutting down trees for timber.
- logger noun
- A person who cuts down trees.
- logbook noun
- A book for keeping an official record.
Commonly confused: log or logue?
log vs logue
Not a common word; 'log' is the correct spelling for the record or wood.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
We log information 'in' a book or system. 'On' would suggest a surface, 'at' a location, and 'for' a purpose, none of which fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “log”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.