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noun col·lect \ ˈkä-likt also -ˌlekt \

Definition of collect

1 :a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion; specifically, often capitalized :one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the day

2 :collection

See collect defined for kids

Recent Examples of collect from the Web

Last year, an inmate and his mom sued the county, claiming its jailhouse phone rates were still too high at $4 flat for local collect calls and 50 cents per minute for local calls charged on a debit card.

— jordan graham, Orange County Register, "Orange County ends jail contract amid accusations of overcharging inmates’ families to send money," 15 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'collect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of collect

Middle English collecte, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin collecta (short for oratio ad collectam prayer upon assembly), from Late Latin, assembly, from Latin, assemblage, from feminine of collectus

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First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

collect

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verb col·lect \ kə-ˈlekt \

Definition of collect

transitive verb

1 a :to bring together into one body or place

b :to gather or exact from a number of persons or sources

collect taxes

c :to gather an accumulation of (objects) especially as a hobby

collects stamps

2 :infer, deduce

3 :to gain or regain control of

collect his thoughts

4 :to claim as due and receive payment for

5 :to get and bring with one; specifically :pick up

went to collect her at the train station

intransitive verb

1 :to come together in a band, group, or mass :gather

2 a :to collect objects

b :to receive payment

collecting on the insurance

See collect defined for English-language learners

Examples of collect in a Sentence

They hope to collect over 1,000 signatures on the petition.
He collected stories from all over the world.
They collected information about the community.
We collected soil samples from several areas on the site.
We collected our baggage from the baggage claim at the airport.
I left my suit at the cleaners and I have to collect it today.
She enjoys collecting antique teapots.
He has an impressive stamp collection, though he has been collecting for only a few years.
I took a minute to collect my thoughts.

Recent Examples of collect from the Web

Patients’ collected immune cells will be frozen and shipped to a Novartis factory in New Jersey that creates each dose, a process the company says should take about three weeks.

— Washington Post, "US clears breakthrough gene therapy for childhood leukemia," 31 Aug. 2017
The Miami Dolphins are hosting a donation drive and collecting items to assist the victims of Hurricane Harvey from now until Sept. 15.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Miami Dolphins with ties to Houston push hurricane relief," 30 Aug. 2017
Operation Friendship The Village of Orland Hills is collecting items to be sent to the Houston area to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Harvey and flooding in southern Texas.

— steve zimmerman, Daily Southtown, "Orland-area students getting an education in how to help," 30 Aug. 2017
Bobby Whigham started the Instagram account Shia’s Outfits in April of this year to collect images of Shia LaBeouf.

— max berlinger, The Cut, "Why the Menswear World Is Obsessed With Shia LaBeouf," 30 Aug. 2017
A: Drumming, competitive gymnastics, and collecting fountain pens Q:

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Shout Out: Matthew Cihlar, Clarendon Hills boy gets a kick out of karate," 29 Aug. 2017
City of Birmingham is collecting items to assist with flood victims in Texas.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Hurricane Harvey: Alabama relief efforts underway; how and where to donate," 29 Aug. 2017
In 2012, the group wanted to gather signatures across campus for an Ohio ballot initiative that would have barred unions from collecting dues from all employees in a workplace without the consent of individual workers.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Post-Charlottesville, Ohio GOP wants to allow protests anywhere on campus," 29 Aug. 2017
The school corporation cannot collect both tuition and state support for transfer students and the state funding is slightly higher, said Julie Lauck, associate superintendent.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Valparaiso schools opt for state funding over tuition," 25 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of collect

Latin collectus, past participle of colligere to collect, from com- + legere to gather — more at legend

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First Known Use: 1563

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collect Synonyms

Synonyms

calm, compose, contain, control, re-collect, settle

Antonyms

dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter

Related Words

hold back, restrain; rally, recover; lull, quiet, soothe, still, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Near Antonyms

disperse, dissipate, scatter

Synonym Discussion of collect

gather, collect, assemble, congregate mean to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit. gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

- a crowd quickly gathered

collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

- collected books on gardening

assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

- experts assembled for a conference

congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

- congregating under a shelter

collect

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adverb or adjective col·lect \ kə-ˈlekt \

Definition of collect

:to be paid for by the receiver

See collect defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of collect

1893

COLLECT Defined for English Language Learners

collect

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verb

Definition of collect for English Language Learners

: to get (things) from different places and bring them together
: to get (one or more things) from a place
: to get (similar things) and bring them together as a hobby

collect

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adjective

Definition of collect for English Language Learners

of a telephone call : paid for by the person who is receiving the call

COLLECT Defined for Kids

collect

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verb col·lect \ kə-ˈlekt \

Definition of collect for Students

collected; collecting

1 :to gather from a number of sources

collect stamps

She collected stories from all over the world.

2 :to receive payment for

Our landlord is here to collect the rent money.

3 :to bring or come together into one body or place

Our teacher collected our homework papers.

4 :to gain or regain control of

After losing my way, I had to stop and collect my thoughts.

5 :to increase in amount

Dust collected on the furniture.

6 :to get and bring

He collected his easel … and set it up …
—Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

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