cluster

1 of 2

noun

clus·​ter ˈklə-stər 

: a number of similar things that occur together: such as

a

: two or more consecutive consonants or vowels in a segment of speech

b

: a group of buildings and especially houses built close together on a sizable tract in order to preserve open spaces larger than the individual yard for common recreation

c

: an aggregation of stars or galaxies that appear close together in the sky and are gravitationally associated

the Perseus cluster of galaxies

d

: a larger than expected number of cases of disease (such as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time

e

: a number of computers networked together in order to function as a single computing system

Consisting of groups of inexpensive machines cobbled together, clusters in many ways have supplanted traditional supercomputers.

—Elizabeth K. Wilson

clustery

ˈklə-st(ə-)rē 

adjective

cluster

2 of 2

verb

clustered; clustering ˈklə-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to collect into a cluster

cluster the tents together

2

: to furnish with clusters

the bridge was clustered with men and officers

—Herman Wouk

intransitive verb

: to grow, assemble, or occur in a cluster

they clustered around the fire

Synonyms

Noun

• array
• assemblage
• band
• bank
• batch
• battery
• block
• bunch
• clot
• clump
• clutch
• collection
• constellation
• group
• grouping
• huddle
• knot
• lot
• muster
• package
• parcel
• passel
• set
• suite

Verb

• assemble
• collect
• concenter
• concentrate
• conglomerate
• congregate
• convene
• converge
• forgather
• foregather
• gather
• meet
• rendezvous

Examples of cluster in a Sentence

Noun

a cluster of cottages along the shore

A small cluster of people had gathered at the scene of the accident.

Verb

The children clustered around the storyteller.

the mice clustered together into a small burrow

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Raytheon just agreed last week to pay a mind-boggling $950 million in criminal and civil charges to the U.S. government for a cluster of offenses ranging from inflated prices for missiles, to bribes for sales to Qatar. —Charles Tiefer, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The house was found in Pompeii’s Insula dei Casti Amanti site, a cluster of buildings that opened to the public this year. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

An affordable, reliable and safe bus and rail system is a big reason why big employers clustered in the central city. —Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024

Small Statements In lieu of a large arrangement, single blooms placed down a mantel or clustered on a side table pack an easy, memorable punch. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English clyster; akin to Old English clott clot

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

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

Phrases Containing cluster

• cluster analysis
• cluster bomb
• cluster headache
• globular cluster
• inter-cluster
• oak-leaf cluster
• sub-cluster

Kids Definition

cluster

1 of 2 noun

clus·​ter ˈkləs-tər 

: a number of similar things growing, collected, or grouped together : bunch

a cluster of houses

a flower cluster

cluster

2 of 2 verb

clustered; clustering -t(ə-)riŋ 

: to grow, collect, or gather in a cluster

Medical Definition

cluster

noun

clus·​ter ˈkləs-tər 

: a larger than expected number of cases of disease (as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time