Learn the meaning of archive as a noun and an adjective, and see how to use it in different contexts. Find out the origin, pronunciation, and related words of archive in British and American English. ARCHIVE meaning : 1. a collection of historical records relating to a place, organization, or family: 2. a place…. Learn more. The meaning of ARCHIVE is a place in which public records or historical materials (such as documents) are preserved; also : the material preserved —often used in plural. An archive is a place or collection of historical records, documents, or other materials. It can also refer to a computer file or area for long-term storage of data. Learn more about the origin, usage, and synonyms of archive .