French word

archives

Pronunciation

IPA/aʁʃiv/

Meaning

  • feminine nounrecords

Example

J'ai trouvé les archives de ma famille dans le grenier.

I found my family's records in the attic.

Illustration for archives (records)

More examples

Il faut consulter les archives pour retrouver cette information.

You need to consult the archives to find this information.

Core concept

A preserved body of documents arranged so an institution or family can consult its past.

Common phrases

  • consulter les archives

    consult the archives

  • les archives familiales

    family archives

  • fonds d'archives

    archival holdings

  • les archives nationales

    national archives

Similar words

papiers: A set of documents carried or kept as proof of identity or rights.
document: A written record containing information on paper or in a file.
fichier: Information stored electronically as an organized collection or individual file.

Definition in French

Ensemble de documents classés et conservés par une institution, une entreprise ou une personne, destinés à servir de preuve, de mémoire ou de référence future.

Word origin

The word derives through Latin archivum from Greek arkheion, the official building where records were kept.

Usage tips

  • The verb archiver means to file or preserve records, while mettre aux archives often signals removing something from current use for long-term storage.

Other meanings

  • archivesnoun
  • documentsnoun

Related words

  • archiverarchiveverb
  • archivagearchivingnoun
  • archivistearchivistnoun

Word lists with this word