collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən 

1

: the act or process of collecting

the collection of data

the collection of taxes

2

a

: something collected

especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby

a collection of poems

a collection of photographs

a baseball card collection

b

: group, aggregate

a collection of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and joint pain

c

: a set of apparel designed for sale usually in a particular season

the designer's spring collection of dresses

Synonyms of collection

• library
• assemblage
• assortment
• repertoire

Examples of collection in a Sentence

a system of tax collection

The technology makes data collection easier.

There will be a trash collection this week.

The museum's collection is one of the best in the country.

We took up a collection for the school renovations.

Ten percent of the collection goes to the city's shelters for homeless people.

Recent Examples on the Web

For decades, these iconic places and many others have graced the UNESCO World Heritage List, a collection of the planet’s most treasured natural and cultural sites. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

His defense attorneys worked to challenge the evidence and its collection, providing a window into what could become part of d4vd’s defense strategy if the case goes to trial. — Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

The success of Ascend West Virginia has already spawned a collection of spinoffs aimed at luring out-of-staters and retaining local talent. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 24 July 2026

Coming on the heels of the company’s licensing deals with the NHL and the NFL, the brand is partnering with Major League Baseball on a collection for all 30 of its teams that will be sold by Fanatics. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English colleccioun, collection, borrowed from Anglo-French collection, borrowed from Latin collēctiōn-, collēctiō "bringing together, accumulation," from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, pull (oneself) together" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing collection

• sub-collection

Rhymes for collection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction
• defection

Kids Definition

collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən 

1

: the act or process of collecting

2

a

: something collected

especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby

b

: set entry 2 sense 7

3

: a gathering of money

take up a collection