Registration is the official process of signing up for something or recording your name and information on a list. When you register for school, soccer camp, or a library card, you're completing registration by filling out forms and providing details like your name, address, and sometimes your parents' contact information.

Registration serves important purposes. It helps organizers know how many people to expect, who's participating, and how to reach you if plans change. Schools use registration to assign students to classes and order the right number of textbooks. Summer camps use it to plan activities and make sure they have enough counselors. When your family registers to vote, officials add your parents' names to the list of eligible voters in your area.

Museums maintain registers of their collections, and ships keep registers of their cargo. Today, most registration happens online, but the purpose remains the same: creating an official record that confirms you've signed up and you belong.

Registration usually involves a deadline. If you miss registration day for basketball, you might not get on a team. That's why the word often appears with reminders: “Don't forget registration closes Friday!”