collect

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

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

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

The standard cost of a call is $0.25 per minute if prepaid or $0.35 per minute for collect calls.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee County inmates offered a free 5-minute phone call home on Mother's Day," 12 May 2018
Forget the collect-a-thon bloat of series like Donkey Kong Country and Banjo-Kazooie.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Celeste review: With amazing twists, this 2D game reaches great heights," 25 Jan. 2018
Her phone bill was ridiculous from all my collect calls.

— sam gillette, PEOPLE.com, "Gucci Mane on His Troubled Relationship with Keyshia Ka’oir Before Their Romantic Wedding," 19 Oct. 2017
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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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collect

verb col·lect \ kə-ˈlekt \

Definition of collect

collected; collecting; collects

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

When the air is stagnant, pollutants tends to collect and remain in the atmosphere.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Washington posted first Code Red day since 2012 on Monday due to ‘unhealthy’ pollution levels," 10 July 2018
But on Memphis’ ensuing possession, Isaac poked the ball away from Jackson, collected it and absorbed a clear-path foul from Jackson.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Mo Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Magic dominate on defense against Grizzlies," 9 July 2018
Read More The lawmakers’ letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook raised fewer issues, but posed similar questions about whether Apple smartphones collect and transmit extensive location data.

— john d. mckinnon, WSJ, "Lawmakers Press Alphabet and Apple on Smartphone Users’ Privacy," 9 July 2018
Lawmakers also asked about the companies' roles in policing how app makers collect and share information taken from smartphones.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Lawmakers press Apple and Google on how they track and listen to smartphone users," 9 July 2018
Both men were tied to the case against Buncich, with Downs soliciting and collecting bribes, and Szarmach paying the former sheriff money to secure and expand his towing territory.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "Co-defendants of former Sheriff Buncich get probation for roles in bribery scheme," 9 July 2018
MiStore is Michigan's surplus store in Lansing that collects these items and makes them available to the public.

— caroline blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "State of Michigan's semi-annual surplus sale set for Saturday," 9 July 2018
Biologist John Cassani has been collecting samples, and warning about the health hazards.

— manuel bojorquez, CBS News, "Toxic algae a slimy mess for Florida's Lake Okeechobee," 6 July 2018
Bring it to your local VFW chapter, where unrepairable flags are collected and disposed of properly.

— cindy dampier, chicagotribune.com, "Are flag-wearing celebs being disrespectful or just following their own American tradition?," 5 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of collect

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1563

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

collect Synonyms

Phrases

get together;

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.