definition ephemera
Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Ephemera. Ephemera is any transitory written or printed matter not meant to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek, meaning things lasting no more than a day. Some collectible ephemera are advertising trade cards, airsickness bags, bookmarks, catalogues, greeting cards, letters, pamphlets, postcards, posters, prospectuses, stock certificates, tickets and zines.
Ephemera are defined as objects, often printed, that are not intended to last but are sometimes kept by collectors. An example of ephemera is a program from a hit Broadway show. pl. -Â·eras or -Â·eraeÂ·. 1  mayfly. 2  an ephemeral thing.  ephemeral things collectively.