collection

play

noun col·lec·tion \ kə-ˈlek-shən \

Definition of collection

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

See collection defined for English-language learners

See collection defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of collection from the Web

The museum boasts an impressive permanent collection with focuses on contemporary works, photography, and art of the American West.

— heather platt, Los Angeles Magazine, "Reno: It’s Not Just The Place You Ignore While Skiing in Tahoe Anymore," 28 Aug. 2017
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office has opened a donation collection center for victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.

— atlanta life, ajc, "How to help victims of Hurricane Harvey," 28 Aug. 2017
Flash forward one year later, and the Internet's power for turning fantasy into reality knows no bounds: that Aaliyah collection is actually happening.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "An Aaliyah MAC Collection Is Happening By Popular Demand," 24 Aug. 2017
But Cannot Explain offers a look at 40 years of Bartow’s work — nearly 100 sculptures, paintings, drawing and prints, pulled together from public and private collections from around the globe.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "Did you see the Jackson Pollock at BAM? If not, this weekend is your last chance," 24 Aug. 2017
Collection of art by artists of the Wonderland Way Circa 1920-1937.

— The Courier-Journal, "30 must-see art galleries, exhibits Aug. 27-Sept. 2," 23 Aug. 2017
The last of the twins’ collection went to the Friends.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Growing twins and giving away books," 21 Aug. 2017
One house with a forgotten record collection had been in disrepair.

— amy s. rosenberg, Philly.com, "Once a haven for Philly's black families, still a slice of Shore heaven," 16 Aug. 2017
Cleland, for example, was able to identify proteins from a 12,000-year-old giant beaver skull sitting in a museum collection since 1845.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Proteomics: Moving Beyond DNA to Study the Past," 15 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'collection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of collection

see ²collect

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

collection Synonyms

Synonyms

assemblage, library

Related Words

assortment, kaleidoscope, miscellanea, mixed bag, omnium-gatherum, phantasmagoria, treasure, treasure trove, trove; arsenal, cache, hoard, repertoire, repertory, reserve, stock, stockpile, store, supply; accumulation, assembly, gathering

Near Antonyms

bric-a-brac, clutter, heap, jumble, litter, pile, ragbag

COLLECTION Defined for English Language Learners

collection

play

noun

Definition of collection for English Language Learners

: the act or process of getting things from different places and bringing them together
: a group of interesting or beautiful objects brought together in order to show or study them or as a hobby
: a request for money in order to help people or to pay for something important; also : the money collected in this way