Record vs. Report — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
A Record is a preserved account of an event or data, while a Report is a detailed account or analysis presented after gathering and reviewing information.
Difference Between Record and Report
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Both Record and Report relate to documenting information, but their applications vary. A Record serves as a direct capture or representation of events, data, or observations, ensuring accuracy. In contrast, a Report often represents collated or analyzed information, which might include various Records or datasets.
Taking a business context, when a transaction happens, it's entered into a Record, ensuring the date, amount, and parties involved are noted. This information can then be used to create a Report, which might analyze multiple transactions over a quarter, providing insights and trends.
In the medical field, a doctor's observation about a patient's condition is recorded in a Record. After several tests and analyses, a comprehensive Report might be generated which combines various Records, findings, and provides a diagnosis or recommendation.
Records are essential as they maintain the integrity of raw data. Without them, there's no baseline to check against. Reports, on the other hand, present this data in an organized manner, making it easier to understand, especially when dealing with large amounts of information.
To simplify, think of a Record as a snapshot at a specific moment, capturing raw data. A Report is like a photo album, compiling and sometimes interpreting various snapshots to present a bigger picture.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Capture and preserve events or data
Present analyzed or collated information
Nature
Raw data or direct representation
Organized, sometimes interpretative
Application
Transactions, observations, individual data entries
Business analysis, research findings, comprehensive reviews
Integrity
Maintains the original data
Might interpret or analyze data
Format
Could be logs, audio, video, written entries
Often in textual format with summaries, graphics, and analyses
Compare with Definitions
Record
A best performance or achievement in a particular activity.
She broke the world Record in the 100-meter sprint.
Report
To make or present an official or formal account of
The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money.
Record
An act of recording data or an event.
The surveillance camera was in Record mode.
Report
A general impression or judgment.
The Report on him is that he's a diligent worker.
Record
To set down for preservation in writing or other permanent form
She recorded her thoughts in a diary.
Report
A detailed account or statement of something.
The detective filed a Report about the incident.
Record
To register or indicate
The clerk recorded the votes.
Report
A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents.
Record
To render (sound or images) into permanent form for reproduction in a magnetic or electronic medium.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Record
To record the words, sound, appearance, or performance of (someone or something)
Recorded the oldest townspeople on tape.
Recorded the violin concerto.
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Record
To record something.
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Record
An account, as of information or facts, set down especially in writing as a means of preserving knowledge.
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Record
Something on which such an account is based.
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Record
Something that records
A fossil record.
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Record
Information or data on a particular subject collected and preserved
The coldest day on record.
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Record
The known history of performance, activities, or achievement
Your academic record.
Hampered by a police record.
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Record
An unsurpassed measurement
A world record in weightlifting.
A record for cold weather.
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Record
(Computers) A collection of related, often adjacent items of data, treated as a unit.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Record
(Law) A transcript or a collection of statements and related information reporting the proceedings of a legislative body, a court, or an executive.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Record
A disk designed to be played on a phonograph.
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Record
A musical recording that is issued on a medium of some kind.
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Record
An item of information put into a temporary or permanent physical medium.
The person had a record of the interview so she could review her notes.
The tourist's photographs and the tape of the police call provide a record of the crime.
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Record
Any instance of a physical medium on which information was put for the purpose of preserving it and making it available for future reference.
We have no record of you making this payment to us.
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Record
Ellipsis of phonograph record: a disc, usually made from vinyl, on which sound is recorded and may be replayed on a phonograph.
I still like records better than CDs.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Record
(computing) A set of data relating to a single individual or item.
Pull up the record on John Smith. What's his medical history?
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Record
(programming) A data structure similar to a struct, in some programming languages such as C# and Java based on classes and designed for storing immutable data.
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Record
9.0 in a Nutshell|year=2021|publisher=O'Reilly Media|pageurl=https://books.google.com/books?id=uUwgEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA210&dq=%22record%22+C#&hl=&cd=15&source=gbs_api#v=onepage&q=%22record%22%20C#&f=false|isbn=978-1-0981-0093-3|page=210|passage=A record is a special kind of class that's designed to work well with immutable (readonly) data.}}
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Record
The most extreme known value of some variable, particularly that of an achievement in competitive events.
The heat and humidity were both new records.
The team set a new record for most points scored in a game.
Report
To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of.
For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station.
Record
(attributive) Enough to break previous records and set a new one; world-class; extreme.
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Record
(transitive) To make a record of information.
I wanted to record every detail of what happened, for the benefit of future generations.
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Record
(transitive) To make an audio or video recording of.
Within a week they had recorded both the song and the video for it.
Report
(ambitransitive) To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter.
Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster.
Every newspaper reported the war.
Record
To give legal status to by making an official public record.
When the deed was recorded, we officially owned the house.
Report
(intransitive) To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy).
The financial director reports to the CEO.
Now that I've been promoted, I report to Benjamin, whom I loathe.
Record
(intransitive) To fix in a medium, usually in a tangible medium.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred.
The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Record
(intransitive) To make an audio, video, or multimedia recording.
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Record
To repeat; to practice.
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Record
To sing or repeat a tune.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Record
(obsolete) To reflect; to ponder.
Report
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem.
Record
To recall to mind; to recollect; to remember; to meditate.
Report
Reputation.
Record
To repeat; to recite; to sing or play.
They longed to see the day, to hear the larkRecord her hymns, and chant her carols blest.
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Record
To preserve the memory of, by committing to writing, to printing, to inscription, or the like; to make note of; to write or enter in a book or on parchment, for the purpose of preserving authentic evidence of; to register; to enroll; as, to record the proceedings of a court; to record historical events.
Those things that are recorded of him . . . are written in the chronicles of the kings.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Record
To reflect; to ponder.
Praying all the way, and recording upon the words which he before had read.
Report
To refer.
Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description.
Record
To sing or repeat a tune.
Whether the birds or she recorded best.
Report
To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
There is no man that may reporten all.
Record
A writing by which some act or event, or a number of acts or events, is recorded; a register; as, a record of the acts of the Hebrew kings; a record of the variations of temperature during a certain time; a family record.
Report
To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported.
It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel.
Record
An official contemporaneous writing by which the acts of some public body, or public officer, are recorded; as, a record of city ordinances; the records of the receiver of taxes.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Record
Testimony; witness; attestation.
John bare record, saying.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Record
That which serves to perpetuate a knowledge of acts or events; a monument; a memorial.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Record
That which has been, or might be, recorded; the known facts in the course, progress, or duration of anything, as in the life of a public man; as, a politician with a good or a bad record.
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Record
That which has been publicly achieved in any kind of competitive sport as recorded in some authoritative manner, as the time made by a winning horse in a race.
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Record
Anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events;
The film provided a valuable record of stage techniques
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Record
The number of wins versus losses and ties a team has had;
At 9-0 they have the best record in their league
Report
To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
Record
An extreme attainment; the best (or worst) performance ever attested (as in a sport);
He tied the Olympic record
Coffee production last year broke all previous records
Chicago set the homicide record
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Record
Sound recording consisting of a disc with continuous grooves; formerly used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracked in the grooves
Report
To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Record
The sum of recognized accomplishments;
The lawyer has a good record
The track record shows that he will be a good president
Report
That which is reported.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Record
A list of crimes for which an accused person has been previously convicted;
He ruled that the criminal record of the defendant could not be disclosed to the court
The prostitute had a record a mile long
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Record
A compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone;
Al Smith used to say, `Let's look at the record'
His name is in all the recordbooks
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Record
A document that can serve as legal evidence of a transaction;
They could find no record of the purchase
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Record
Make a record of; set down in permanent form
Report
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Record
Register electronically;
They recorded her singing
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Record
Indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments;
The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero
The gauge read `empty'
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Record
Be aware of;
Did you register any change when I pressed the button?
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Record
Be or provide a memorial to a person or an event;
This sculpture commemorates the victims of the concentration camps
We memorialized the Dead
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Record
A preserved account of an event or data.
The library maintains a Record of all borrowed books.
Report
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Record
An item documenting proof or evidence.
The witness's statement was taken down as a Record.
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Record
A device or medium on which data is stored.
The song was released on a vinyl Record.
Report
Announce as the result of an investigation, or announce something to the proper authorities;
Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
The team reported significant advances in their research
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Report
Make known to the authorities;
One student reported the other to the principal
Report
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Report
Complain about; make a charge against;
I reported her to the superviser
Report
An official or formal statement of facts or proceedings.
The committee will release its Report next week.
Report
To provide information about an event or situation.
The journalist will Report on the election results.
Report
A loud noise, especially one produced by an explosion.
We heard a Report and then saw smoke rising.
Common Curiosities
Can a Report contain multiple Records?
Yes, a Report can compile and analyze various Records.
Can a single event have both a Record and a Report?
Yes, the event's direct capture is the Record, and its detailed account or analysis is the Report.
Does a Report always analyze data?
Not always. Some Reports just collate data without analysis.
Is a Record always in written format?
No, Records can be in audio, video, or other formats.
Can Reports be subjective?
Yes, some Reports, especially those with analyses, can include subjective interpretations.
Are Records and Reports the same?
No, a Record is raw data or event capture, while a Report is an organized presentation of data.
Are Records always factual?
Records aim to capture events or data accurately, preserving facts.
Who usually prepares Reports?
Professionals like analysts, researchers, or experts often prepare Reports.
Why are Records essential?
They ensure data integrity by preserving events or data in their original form.
Is a news article a Report?
Generally, yes. News articles Report on events, situations, or findings.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Velvet vs. Satin
Next Comparison
Conceptualisation vs. ConceptualizationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
