collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce collection (audio)
1
: the act or process of collecting
the collection of data
the collection of taxes
2
a
: something collected
especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
a collection of poems
a collection of photographs
a baseball card collection
b
: group, aggregate
a collection of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and joint pain
c
: a set of apparel designed for sale usually in a particular season
the designer's spring collection of dresses

Examples of collection in a Sentence

a system of tax collection The technology makes data collection easier. There will be a trash collection this week. The museum's collection is one of the best in the country. We took up a collection for the school renovations. Ten percent of the collection goes to the city's shelters for homeless people. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune Perfume Set $130 $65 at Sephora Why have a collection of hair curlers when the T3 Switch Kit Wave Trio exists? Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 26 Nov. 2023 The same year, Blank Forms and Empty Editions released a new collection of Hennix’s early experiments on Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, and magnetic tape, titled Selected Early Keyboard Works. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 26 Nov. 2023 Among the marquee names on offer—such as Pétrus, Cheval Blanc, Cristal, Krug, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti—is the opportunity to purchase wines from Jones’s collection that are nearly a century old. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2023 There are tons of quirky original ideas here, too, from a young chef's knife and finger guard set to a rotating collection of stuffies like an anglerfish or beetroot. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023 Plus, don’t miss out on the opportunity to upgrade your bling collection with stunning diamond necklaces, pretty charms, minimalist earrings for sensitive ears, and curvy rings—all while saving in the process. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon Diamond Initial Necklace This Amelia Rose Diamond Initial Necklace is a stunning piece that adds a personalized touch to your jewelry collection and sparkles its way onto Oprah’s Favorite Things List 2023. Margaret Drake, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023 Your collection of outerwear and winter dresses will never be the same. Jake Smith, Glamour, 14 Nov. 2023 But the two worked together to pare down her ideas, landing on a tight collection that combines her aesthetic with the jeweler’s heritage. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'collection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English colleccioun, collection, borrowed from Anglo-French collection, borrowed from Latin collēctiōn-, collēctiō "bringing together, accumulation," from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, pull (oneself) together" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of collection was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near collection

Cite this Entry

“Collection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collection. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

collection

noun
col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce collection (audio)
1
: the act or process of collecting
2
a
: something collected
especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
3
: a gathering of money
take up a collection

More from Merriam-Webster on collection

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!