The word record has several related meanings:

1. To preserve information by writing it down or capturing it electronically. When scientists record their observations in a lab notebook, they're creating a permanent account of what they saw. Teachers record grades, historians record events, and security cameras record video footage. Before recording technology existed, the only way to preserve music was to write it down as sheet music or perform it live, which meant most performances were lost.
2. A physical object that stores music, especially the black vinyl discs that were popular before CDs and digital music. People still collect records and play them on turntables, appreciating their warm sound quality.
3. The best performance ever achieved in something. When a runner breaks the world record for the fastest mile, she's run it faster than anyone in recorded history. Your school might keep records of the highest test scores or longest winning streaks. A record-breaking performance surpasses all previous ones.

These meanings connect through the idea of preserving and marking achievements. Whether you're recording a song, spinning a record, or setting a new record, you're creating something that lasts beyond the moment.