An archive is a collection of historical records, documents, or materials that are carefully preserved so people can study them later. Libraries and museums keep archives of old newspapers, letters, photographs, and important papers. The National Archives in Washington, D.C., for example, stores the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution, along with millions of other documents that tell America's story.

When you archive something, you're putting it away in an organized way for future reference. Your school might archive old yearbooks in the library. A scientist might archive her research notes so other researchers can learn from her work decades later. Companies archive old emails and files in case they need to look back at them.

The word can also mean old or outdated information stored digitally. News websites often have an archive section where you can read articles from years ago. Your email program probably has an archive folder where you can store old messages without deleting them.

Think of an archive as a time capsule that's carefully organized and maintained. While a time capsule gets buried and forgotten, an archive stays accessible so people can keep learning from the past. Museums employ archivists who specialize in organizing, protecting, and helping people access these collections.