collect

noun

col·lect | \ ˈkä-likt also -ˌlekt

Definition of collect

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

verb

col·lect | \ kə-ˈlekt

collected; collecting; collects

Definition of collect (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : to collect objects

b : to receive payment collecting on the insurance

collect

adverb or adjective

col·lect | \ kə-ˈlekt

Definition of collect (Entry 3 of 3)

: to be paid for by the receiver

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about collect

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Choose the Right Synonym for collect

Verb

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

Examples of collect in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

No matter—to him, that’s what collect calls were for. — Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, "My Brother the Car Horn," 27 Nov. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The first data that FIELDS sent back was collected when the instrument's antennas, attached to a boom, were deployed, shortly after the spacecraft's launch. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, "Here Comes the Sun! Parker Solar Probe Instruments See 'First Light'," 25 Sep. 2018 Artist Erick Antonio Benitez collected the artifacts during trips to the 1,954-mile border and used them as part of his immersive art installation, which aims to draw attention to the plight migrants face on their journey to the United States. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, "Erick Antonio Benitez named winner of 2018 Sondheim Artscape Prize," 15 July 2018 The Brewers didn’t collect another hit off Kingham until pitcher Brandon Woodruff, who came up from Class AAA Colorado Springs for his fifth stint this season, ripped his first major-league homer into the right-field stands leading off the sixth. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pirates 7, Brewers 3: With four losses in five games on trip, Brewers appear out of steam," 13 July 2018 With one out, Burbank’s Noah Porter collected his team’s first hit of the contest. — Nathan Cambridge, latimes.com, "Burbank 8-10 All-Stars fend off Crescenta Valley again for D16 title," 12 July 2018 The GoFundMe page has collected more than $118,000 in donations as of midday Thursday, far more than its initial goal of $75,000 set a day earlier. — Christopher Brito, CBS News, "J.J. Watt quietly donates $10K to fallen Wisconsin firefighter's family," 12 July 2018 Officers collected the bat and turned it over to the Cook County Department of Animal & Rabies Control for testing. — Brian Cox, chicagotribune.com, "Police blotter: Flower pots, light fixtures in Winnetka damaged with spray paint," 12 July 2018 Stewart collected 49 Cup wins in NASCAR, including two Brickyard 400 titles and three season crowns. — Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star, "Tony Stewart wins, and celebrates, just like he did as a kid," 12 July 2018 These samples, which test from one to 50 mosquitoes at a time, were collected from Elk Grove and Sacramento parks and neighborhoods. — Hannah Holzer, sacbee, "Vigilance urged as Sacramento region leads state in West Nile virus activity," 12 July 2018

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.

History and Etymology for collect

Noun

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

Verb

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

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