journal
JER-nul
/ˈdʒɜːrnəl/
A newspaper or magazine dealing with a particular subject or professional activity; a daily record of events or business.
In academia, it refers to a scholarly periodical containing articles, often peer-reviewed, that disseminate research findings within a specific field.
The story behind the word. The word 'journal' comes from the Old French 'journal,' meaning 'daily.' This, in turn, derives from the Latin 'diurnalis,' meaning 'daily,' from 'dies' meaning 'day.' Originally, a journal was a daily record of events, like a diary or a ship's log. Later, it evolved to mean a periodical publication, often appearing at regular, 'daily' or 'day-based' intervals, especially in academic contexts where new findings are regularly 'published'.
Word relationships
- periodical: A magazine or newspaper published at regular intervals.
- publication: A book or document issued for public sale, broader than a specific journal.
- diary: A book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences.
Word family
- journalist (noun): a person who writes for newspapers, magazines, or news websites or prepares news to be broadcast
- journalism (noun): the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, or news websites or preparing news to be broadcast
Collocations
- academic journal
- scientific journal
- peer-reviewed journal
- journal article
- medical journal
Example sentences
- "She subscribed to several academic journals to stay updated on the newest developments in quantum physics." A researcher looking for the latest studies.
- "Keeping a daily journal helped him process his thoughts and track his progress on the project." A personal habit of reflection.
Memory hook
A 'JOURNEY' of daily thoughts or published articles. Daily Journey
When not to use
While 'journal' can refer to a personal diary, in the context of academic publishing, it specifically means a scholarly periodical. Don't confuse it with a general magazine or newspaper.
Fun facts
- The word 'journey' also shares the same Latin root 'dies' (day), as a journey was originally a day's travel.
Related words
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