Definition

1. Noun:

   • A segment of a tree trunk: A large, solid piece of a tree, especially one that has been cut for use as timber or fuel.
   • An official record of events: A detailed, chronological written account of activities, often kept on a ship, aircraft, or for a specific process or system.
   • A measuring device for a ship's speed: Historically, a device with a float attached to a knotted line, thrown from a ship to measure its speed through the water.
   • A logarithm: In mathematics, the exponent indicating the power to which a fixed number (the base) must be raised to produce a given number.

2. Verb:

   • To cut down trees for timber: To cut trees into logs.
   • To record an event officially: To enter details of an event or performance into a formal record or log.
   • To achieve a specific performance metric: To attain a certain amount of something, such as distance or time, often recorded.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We sat on a large log by the campfire. (We sat on a large piece of a tree trunk.)
  • The captain checked the ship's log. (The captain checked the official record of the voyage.)
  • The calculation requires finding the log of 100. (The calculation requires finding the logarithm.)

• Verb:

  • They log the forest sustainably. (They cut trees for timber in an environmentally sustainable way.)
  • Please log all customer complaints in the system. (Please record all complaints in the official system.)
  • The pilot has logged over 5,000 flight hours. (The pilot has officially recorded over 5,000 hours of flying.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be as easy as falling off a log": To be extremely simple or easy.

  • The test was as easy as falling off a log. (The test was very easy.)

• "To sleep like a log": To sleep very deeply and soundly.

  • After the long hike, I slept like a log. (I slept very deeply.)

Variants and Related Words

• Logbook (n): A book containing the official log, especially for a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.

  • The mechanic noted the repair in the car's logbook.

• Logger (n): A person whose job is to cut down trees.

  • The logger worked in the forest.

• Logging (n): The activity or business of cutting down trees for timber.

  • The company practices sustainable logging.

Synonyms

• Noun (for tree trunk): Timber, chunk, block.
• Noun (for record): Journal, register, diary, record.
• Verb (for recording): Record, register, note, document.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Log in/on: To gain access to a computer system or website by entering identification details.

  • You must log in to your account to continue.

• Log off/out: To exit or terminate a session on a computer system or website.

  • Remember to log out when you finish.

• Log up: To accumulate or achieve a certain amount, often recorded.

  • The truck driver logged up hundreds of miles.

Noun

1. measuring instrument that consists of a float that trails from a ship by a knotted line in order to measure the ship's speed through the water
2. a written record of events on a voyage (of a ship or plane)
3. a written record of messages sent or received
   • they kept a log of all transmission by the radio station
   • an email log
4. the exponent required to produce a given number
5. a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

Verb

1. cut lumber, as in woods and forests
2. enter into a log, as on ships and planes