collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən 

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

Synonyms of collection

• library
• assemblage
• assortment
• repertoire

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 on the Web

Simon took the campy photographs in the same Hilton hotel where Moore’s children awaited their mother, and the images make up what the wall text calls a MooreWrap cruise-collection look book. — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Now, for the first time in more than two decades, Old Edwards Reserve is evolving with the introduction of Laurel Village, a limited collection of 24 cottages positioned around an 18,000-square-foot private putting course. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Beni Rugs’ founders Robert Wright and Tiberio Lobo-Navia decided to integrate this into their latest collection, Chelsea, which elevates their product to true, slow luxury status. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

This collection of restaurants is designed to bring in locals and help revive the already emerging riverfront as a place to be in the city. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing collection

• sub-collection

Rhymes for collection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction
• defection

Kids Definition

collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən 

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

b

: set entry 2 sense 7

3

: a gathering of money

take up a collection