gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

a

: a loose flowing outer garment formerly worn by men

b

: a distinctive robe worn by a professional or academic person

c

: a woman's dress

d(1)

: dressing gown

(2)

: nightgown

e

: a coverall worn in an operating room

2

: the body of students and faculty of a college or university

rivalry between town and gown

gown transitive verb

Synonyms

• dress

Examples of gown in a Sentence

The bride wore a lovely lace wedding gown.

a shopping trip for the express purpose of finding the perfect gown for the wedding

Recent Examples on the Web

The Italian fashion house behind Sánchez’s bridal gown earned 28 percent more in media exposure from June 25 to 29, following the wedding, than during its fall 2025 fashion show in March. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 1 July 2025

For the Jurassic World Rebirth premiere in Shanghai, Scarlett Johansson posed in a curve-hugging red gown with a v-neckline and a subtle mermaid silhouette. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 30 June 2025

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli (then at the helm of Valentino) designed a one-off golden couture gown that was auctioned off at the Cannes amfAR Gala in 2013 for Cinema Against Aids. —Jordan Wake, Vogue, 30 June 2025

His girlfriend stunned in a sparkly silver gown with a matching fringed purse. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French gune, goune, from Late Latin gunna, a fur or leather garment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gown

• ball gown
• dressing gown
• evening gown
• Geneva gown
• hospital gown
• tea gown

Rhymes for gown

• bown
• clown
• crown
• drown
• frown
• lown
• noun
• town
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown

Kids Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

: an official robe worn especially by a judge, a member of the clergy, or a teacher

2

: a woman's dress

especially : one suitable for afternoon or evening wear

3

: a loose robe (as a dressing gown or a nightgown)

gown verb

gowned

ˈgau̇nd

adjective

Medical Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

: a garment designed to be worn by health care professionals or patients: such as

a

: a sterile one-piece coverall worn by health care personnel especially during a medical procedure to prevent the dispersal of bodily fluids or infectious material : surgical gown

b

: a loose robe that is usually open in the back and is worn by patients in a medical facility (such as a hospital) : hospital gown