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Meaning & use

on record

phrase·Advanced

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UK/ɒn ˈrekɔːd/
US/ɑːn ˈrekərd/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Officially written down or stated publicly so that it can be checked later.

    Grammar: Follows the verb be: the comment is on record; also used after put or go.

    Patterns

    • be on record
    • put something on record
    • go on record as saying something

    The mayor is on record as supporting the new library.

    Her objection was put on record at the meeting.

    He went on record saying the project would finish on time.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    Known from written history or from documents that still exist.

    Grammar: Usually follows the superlative or a phrase like the hottest, the first; it means 'ever recorded'.

    Patterns

    • the worst on record
    • the first on record
    • the hottest summer on record

    Last July was the hottest month on record in the city.

    This is the heaviest rainfall on record for the region.

    The earliest earthquake on record here happened in 1755.

Common combinations

be on record as saying
The director is on record as saying she supports the change.
put something on record
Please put your complaint on record before you leave.
the hottest on record
It was the hottest day on record for June.
go on record
Few politicians would go on record about the issue.
on the public record
The details are now on the public record.

Synonyms and how they differ

officially
This adverb says something is done by an authority; 'on record' stresses that a public statement or fact can be checked later.
documented
This adjective describes something proven by written evidence, while 'on record' often refers to spoken statements that were noted down.

Opposites

off the record

Word family

record noun
a written or stored account of facts or events
record verb
to write down or store information for the future
recording noun
sound or pictures that have been stored

Commonly confused: on record or off the record?

on record vs off the record

'On record' means the statement is official and can be quoted; 'off the record' means it must not be published or attributed.

Practice

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