collect

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

|Updated on: 10 Aug 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

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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

In Qatar, the feel of an Olympic-style atmosphere is likely, with most fans collected in one place.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Qatar is the World Cup every fan should attend," 13 July 2018
These skills made them the perfect partners for collecting temperature data at the seafloor.

— kasha patel, Smithsonian, "How Data-Gathering Seals Help Scientists Measure the Melting Antarctic," 13 July 2018
The new law will deepen the cuts to 5.4 percent in 2019 and gradually cut taxes to 5.1 percent if the state collects enough revenue.

— allison kite, kansascity, "Gov. Parson signs Missouri tax cut long sought by Republican lawmakers," 12 July 2018
Encrypted information is then sent to a searchable database operated by Vigilant Solutions, a Livermore, Calif., business that collects information from license plate readers for law enforcement and private entities.

— alene tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "Operator of Orange County malls says it shares license plate data with local police, but not ICE," 12 July 2018
Samples of the facility’s environment and the product collected during the FDA’s inspection match the outbreak strain of salmonella mbandaka, the agency said.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Recalled cereal in expanding salmonella outbreak illegally still being sold, FDA says," 12 July 2018
Eleven laps after the caution flag came out for the first massive wreck, Stenhouse got into the back of Kyle Busch, triggering another multi-car accident that then collected the No.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "How Ricky Stenhouse Jr. infuriated both Kyle and Kurt Busch in NASCAR race," 11 July 2018
The Irish dilemma would be partly addressed with a Rube Goldberg device of a customs arrangement in which the U.K. would collect tariffs on the E.U.’s behalf for goods entering the country en route to Europe.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "The Brexit Crisis Finally Engulfs the Party That Started It," 11 July 2018
The methane gas that is produced as the trash percolates and decomposes is an energy source that is collected by 500 gas wells.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mount Trashmore, the landfill that's over 20 stories, will grow bigger and taller," 13 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.

- 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

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

COLLECT Defined for English Language Learners

collect

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

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

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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collect

Definition of collect

Recent Examples of collect from the Web

Origin and Etymology of collect

collect

Definition of collect

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Recent Examples of collect from the Web

Origin and Etymology of collect

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collect

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COLLECT Defined for English Language Learners

collect

Definition of collect for English Language Learners

collect

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