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

Ride-hailing services combined for 81.3 million rides across Massachusetts during 2018, a 25 percent increase from the previous year, according to data collected by the Department of Public Utilities. — Aidan Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, "Baker seeks more oversight of Uber and Lyft," 10 July 2019 The unparalleled array of three dozen 17th century Dutch masterpieces collected by the late Edward and Hannah Carter is the exact opposite of an accident. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "An open letter to LACMA architect Peter Zumthor: Stop dissing L.A.’s art," 9 July 2019 Then there was the report by the state Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team that uncovered overpayments collected by Fonseca. — David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘Things are looking brighter:' San Ysidro School District made strides under new leader," 8 July 2019 Preliminary data collected by the US Customs and Border Protection agency and released by the Mexican government suggests that arrests declined by 30% in June to 95,000. — The Economist, "What caused the shameful scenes at America’s southern border?," 6 July 2019 Americans should be concerned about whether images of their faces collected by this program will be used by companies and shared across different government agencies. — Allie Funk, WIRED, "I Opted Out of Facial Recognition at the Airport—It Wasn't Easy," 2 July 2019 Some shipping companies with direct Iranian ties do not try to hide their movements, according to data collected by the commercial tracking sites. — Michael Forsythe, New York Times, "To Evade Sanctions on Iran, Ships Vanish in Plain Sight," 2 July 2019 At the approximate midpoint of the year, violence against women is on the increase in 2019, data collected by the Chicago Tribune over the past five years shows. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Daywatch: Tax increases and new laws, women increasingly caught in Chicago violence and other things to know to start your day," 1 July 2019 Hazel sticks collected by the family were also used to make the garden’s den. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton's $130 & Other Stories Dress Is Back in Stock," 30 June 2019

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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