CBS Masterworks was a subsidiary of CBS Records. In 1927, Columbia Masterworks was founded under Columbia Records. In 1980, CBS began using CBS Masterworks for many of its classical new releases, and reissues previously issued on Columbia Masterworks were issued on the new label. CBS continued to use the CBS Masterworks label until it was was rebranded as Sony Classical and Sony Masterworks in 1990, shortly after Sony acquired CBS in 1987.

In territories where the Columbia name was being used by the Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd. (e.g., South Africa), a small number of releases from the 1950s can be found using "CBS Masterworks" as its branding. In the US, some 1960s Columbia releases were issued with blue CBS Masterworks labels, most likely to facilitate exportation into countries where the Columbia name was being used by the previously named company. Some of these releases can be found in CBS-branded jackets, while others can be found with CBS stickers or blank stickers covering the Columbia logos.

Also written as:
CBS Records Masterworks
CBS Records Master Works
CBS Master Works