collect

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

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

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

But the bottom line is that real-time video footage of an entire city should not be collected in the first place.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "New Jersey Welcomes a New Surveillance State," 11 June 2018
At the top of the list was Rapid City, S.D., which was 318 miles from the closest clinic, according to the data, which was collected in early 2017.

— angie leventis lourgos, chicagotribune.com, "Midwest has fewest abortion clinics per woman than any other region, study says," 11 June 2018
That figure includes $240 million the Supreme Court ordered returned to taxpayers because it was collected in error.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Hogan officially launches re-election campaign, Democrats start counter-offensive," 10 June 2018
The new research draws on data from countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands that hadn’t previously been collected.

— richard rubin, WSJ, "Corporations Push Profits Into Tax Havens as Countries Struggle in Pursuit, Study Says," 10 June 2018
To test for the presence of the parasite, stool specimens must be collected and sent to a laboratory.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cyclospora infections linked to vegetable trays sold at Kwik Trip stores," 9 June 2018
In March, The New York Times reported that the data of more than 87 million people had been collected by Cambridge Analytica, a political firm with ties to the Trump campaign.

— author: sheera frenkel, Anchorage Daily News, "A Facebook bug changed the privacy settings of up to 14 million users," 8 June 2018
In March, The New York Times reported that the data of over 87 million people had been collected by Cambridge Analytica, a political firm with ties to the Trump campaign.

— sheera frenkel, New York Times, "Facebook Bug Changed Privacy Settings of Up to 14 Million Users," 7 June 2018
And of the 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated every day in India, only 9,000 tonnes is collected and processed, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

— jenni marsh, CNN, "Our children's plastic lives seen through lunches," 7 June 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

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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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