Recordable

Recordable is an adjective meaning capable of being recorded, or suitable to be put into a record or record form. In general usage, it refers to anything that can be captured, stored, or documented for later retrieval or reference.

In media and data storage, recordable describes media or devices on which data can be written. Recordable formats include write-once media such as CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-R, as well as rewritable media such as CD-RW, DVD-RW, and BD-RE. The term helps distinguish between media that can be written once, media that can be erased and rewritten, and media that is pre-recorded and not intended for user data input.

In information technology and software, recordable can refer to events, transactions, or logs that are captured for auditing, debugging, or playback. A system may generate and store recordable events to persistent logs, enabling analysis, replication, or reconstruction of activity after the fact.

In workplace safety and regulatory contexts, recordable describes injuries or illnesses that must be reported and added to an official record under applicable rules, such as OSHA recordkeeping requirements. This usage emphasizes accountability, compliance, and historical tracking of safety performance.

Etymology and usage notes: recordable derives from the verb record with the suffix -able, indicating capability or suitability. While the core meaning is broad, in technical fields it frequently implies a defined process for capturing and preserving information in a verifiable form.

See also: recording, records management, data logging, archival media.