collect

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

Updated on: 18 May 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

See Words from the same year

collect

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

The switch-hitter had been particular woeful batting right-handed (.143 batting average) but collected two hits off Corbin before adding a lefty homer later against reliever Fernando Salas.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "After fattening up early against weak teams, Brewers now showing they can beat contenders," 15 May 2018
Rodriguez played 22 seasons in MLB, collecting 3,115 hits, 696 home runs, 2,086 RBIs and 14 All-Star trips along the way.

— khadrice rollins, SI.com, "ESPN Gives Alex Rodriguez a Four-Part Interview Series Called 'Pivot with Alex Rodriguez'," 15 May 2018
Inside Pitch Dustin Fowler, one of the three players the Yankees traded for Gray, collected his first major-league hit, a single, off Gray in the fourth inning.

— wallace matthews, New York Times, "Athletics Strike Quickly Against Sonny Gray and Cool Off the Yankees," 12 May 2018
In the final six at-bats of his early-season stint with the Astros, J.D. Davis collected four hits.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "J.D. Davis has been on fire since his demotion to AAA Fresno," 12 May 2018
Justin Rubin collected three hits and three RBIs for the Phoenix.

— corey sharp, Philly.com, "Saturday's S.J. roundup: Jack Herman leads Eastern in Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic," 12 May 2018
The Tritons collected only two hits through four scoreless innings against Otters starting pitcher Gabe Katich and trailed by three runs halfway through the game.

— kirk kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, "UC San Diego playing for CCAA Tournament title after 13-5 victory over CS Monterey Bay," 11 May 2018
The old culvert bridge tended to collect tree limbs and other upstream debris during heavy rainfall, causing stream backups.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "New Carrs Mill Road bridge in Bel Air nearing completion," 11 May 2018
By his own admission, Tom Phillips contracted the murder of his wife to collect on her $300,000 life-insurance policy.

— michael lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 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

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Definition of collect for English Language Learners

collect

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