collect

1 of 3

noun

col·​lect ˈkä-likt 

 also  -ˌlekt

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

collect

2 of 3

verb

col·​lect kə-ˈlekt 

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

collect

3 of 3

adverb or adjective

col·​lect kə-ˈlekt 

: to be paid for by the receiver

Synonyms

Verb

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Example Sentences

Verb

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As a result, blood collects and forms a pool around the valves, causing swelling. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 May 2023

The data the sleep tracker collects is then analyzed to examine sleep latency, duration, phases, and quality, Leela R. Magavi, MD, a psychiatrist and the regional medical director for Community Psychiatry in California explains. —Elizabeth Yuko, Verywell Health, 10 May 2023

The materials hum and vibrate, shaping the sonic experience; beyond horns and tubes, sound collects and echoes under winged mica canopies. —Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, 2 May 2023

The kind of data TikTok collects, including geolocation data, is easily available from private data brokers. —Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2023

Other leading causes of complications were acute respiratory distress in which fluid collects in the lungs, abnormal blood clotting and sepsis, a serious complication of an infection. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 6 Apr. 2023

More transparency will help policy-makers and voters alike fully grasp the reality that any data the federal government collects must be considered potentially compromised. —Matthew Jensen, National Review, 3 Apr. 2023

But the amount of information TikTok collects might not be that different from other popular social media sites, experts say. —Haleluya Hadero, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2023

Can my ex-spouse collect on my record? —courant.com, 8 Oct. 2020

Verb

At the moment, though, countries receiving and managing clothing collected through EPR programs receive no financial support from those funds. —Olivia Rockeman, Fortune, 30 May 2023

Penso, a graduate from the USDA’s executive master gardener class, regularly collects about 10,000 seedlings from the USDA greenhouse in Beltsville, Md. —Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 30 May 2023

Kevin McCarthy says on Fox & Friends that the debt ceiling bill will prevent children from ... collecting welfare? —Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 30 May 2023

Logan Rumble, Penn The freshman showed out in her first sectional tournament, collecting six hits, seven RBIs, four runs scored and a couple home runs. —Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 29 May 2023

All told, App State sent 14 hitters to plate and collected seven hits and four walks. —Creg Stephenson | [e-mail], al, 27 May 2023

The American Red Cross estimates that only 4% of the population has this blood type.5 During plasma donation, a machine collects the plasma from your blood and then returns the red blood cells and platelets back to your body. —Amy Isler, Rn, Msn, Csn, Verywell Health, 27 May 2023

The Wiswessers collect some ingredients by hand, such as seawater from Whittier that evaporates into salt for the Prince William Sound sea salt chocolate bar. —Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 27 May 2023

And that was despite having collected hundreds of thousands of internal text messages and turning several members of the groups into cooperating witnesses. —Alan Feuer, New York Times, 26 May 2023

Adverb or adjective

The octogenarian monetarist, who knew the value a dollar from all angles, would phone back collect. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English collecte, collet, borrowed from Anglo-French collecte, borrowed from Medieval Latin collēcta, perhaps going back to Late Latin, in sense "gathering place, assembly" (assuming the original reference was to ōrātiō ad collēctam, a prayer recited at the congregation's gathering place), going back to Latin, feminine of collēctus, past participle of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate" — more at collect entry 2

Verb

Middle English collecten "to accumulate, infer, calculate," borrowed from Anglo-French collecter, borrowed from Latin collēctus, past participle of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, pull (oneself) together," from col-, assimilated variant of com- com- + legere "to gather by picking or plucking, select, choose" — more at legend

Adverb or adjective

derivative of collect entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1563, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adverb Or Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing collect

• re-collect
• collect up

• re-collect
• collect up

Kids Definition

collect

1 of 3 noun

col·​lect ˈkäl-ikt 

 also  -ˌekt

: an opening prayer in the Communion service or the Mass

collect

2 of 3 verb

col·​lect kə-ˈlekt 

1

a

: to bring or come together into one body or place

b

: to gather from a number of sources

collect stamps

2

: to gain or regain control of

collecting my thoughts

3

: to demand and take payment for

collect a bill

4

: to form in a heap or mass : accumulate

junk collecting in the attic

collectible adjective

or collectable

kə-ˈlek-tə-bəl

collect

3 of 3 adverb or adjective

col·​lect kə-ˈlekt 

: to be paid for by the receiver

a collect phone call

call collect

Etymology

Noun

Middle English collecte "prayer," from early French collecte (same meaning), from Latin collecta "prayer, collect," shortened form of oratio ad collectam "prayer upon assembly," derived from earlier collectus "collected," derived from colligere "to gather together," from col-, com- "together" and legere "to gather" — related to legend

Verb

from Latin collectus "collected," from colligere "to gather together," from col-, com- "together" and legere "to gather" — related to legend