set the record straight Definition

record
noun

1. A formal written report or statement of facts, events or information.

Thesaurus: transcript, file, log, minutes.
2. Information, facts, etc, collected usually over a fairly long period of time.

Example: dental records
Thesaurus: documentation, archives, paper trail.
Form: records (often)
3. The state or fact of being recorded.
4. A thin plastic disc used as a recording medium for reproducing music or other sound. Also (old use) called gramophone record.
5a. Especially in sports: a performance which is officially recognized as the best of a particular kind or in a particular class;
5b. as adj;

Example: a record attempt
5c. Unsurpassed.

Example: a record number of applications
6. A description of the history and achievements of a person, institution, company, etc.
7. A list of the crimes of which a person has been convicted.
8. computing.
In database systems: a subdivision of a file that can be treated as a single unit of stored information, consisting of a collection of related data or fields (see field noun 16), each of which contains a particular item of information, eg a statistic, a piece of text, a name, address, etc.
9. Anything that recalls or commemorates past events.

verb recorded, recording

1. To set something down in writing or some other permanent form, especially for use in the future.

Thesaurus: register, write down, put down, mark down, jot down, set down, take down, transcribe, note, file, inscribe, log.
tr & intr
2. To register (sound, music, speech, etc) on a record or tape so that it can be listened to in the future.
3. Said of a dial, instrument, person's face, etc: to show or register (a particular figure, feeling, etc).

Idiom: go on record

To make a public statement.

Idiom: off the record

Said of information, statements, etc: not intended to be repeated or made public.

Idiom: on record

Officially recorded; publicly known.

Idiom: set the record straight (put the record straight)

To correct a mistake or false impression.

Etymology: 13c: from French recorder, from Latin recordari to remember.