congregate

verb con·gre·gate \ ˈkäŋ-gri-ˌgāt \

Definition of congregate

congregated; congregating

transitive verb

:to collect into a group or crowd :assemble

The king congregated his knights.

intransitive verb

:to come together into a group, crowd, or assembly

Students congregated in the auditorium.

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congregator

play \ˈkäŋ-gri-ˌgā-tər\ noun

See congregate defined for English-language learners

See congregate defined for kids

Examples of congregate in a Sentence

It's a place where the homeless congregate.
Skiers congregated around the lodge's fireplace.

Recent Examples of congregate from the Web

Thousands congregated in Les Rambles and Plaça de Catalunya to show solidarity with the victims and condemn the attacks.

— laia balcells, Washington Post, "Half a million marched this weekend in Barcelona. Do terror attacks make people more politically engaged?," 28 Aug. 2017
Of course, a gaggle of conservative Christian pastors congregated to denounce the denunciations of 45.

— michael arceneaux, Essence.com, "Trump's Black Supporters Are Just As Delusional As His White Ones," 24 Aug. 2017
Before shows, Isbell and the 400 Unit briefly congregate on the side of the stage to make sure everyone's ready and their in-ear monitors are functioning.

— matt wake, AL.com, "How Jason Isbell's 400 Unit became the E Street Band of their era," 23 Aug. 2017
Another study, from 1984, noted that a group of captive chimpanzees in Georgia all seemed to congregate on a climbing structure during the totality.

— jason bittel, idahostatesman, "You can help scientists study how animals react to an eclipse," 11 Aug. 2017
Thousands of die-hard Oprah fans congregate on a cruise, waiting for a glimpse of the goddess herself.

— stella bugbee, The Cut, "Here’s a Secret: August Is One of the Best Months in New York City," 31 July 2017
Everyone who doesn't agree with the Baptist Ministers Council decision should congregate in front of their churches and demand the boycott be stopped.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "LETTERS: Alzheimer's continues to destroy area families," 24 July 2017
Others have also seen scenarios where larger groups congregate at a machine, as is done in Europe.

— nick sortal, miamiherald, "Electronic table games give patrons a taste of the action," 11 July 2017
The fans all were congregated for the sensational finish.

— tom yantz, courant.com, "Spieth's Shot Explodes From Bunker For Tournament Winner," 25 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of congregate

Middle English, from Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare, from com- + greg-, grex flock

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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congregate Synonyms

Synonyms

accumulate, amass, assemble, bulk (up), collect, concentrate, gather, constellate, corral, garner, group, lump, pick up, round up

Antonyms

dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter

Related Words

ball, batch, bunch, cluster, huddle; heap, pile, stack; band, brigade, muster, raise, rally; flock, herd, hive, pack, press, swarm, throng; combine, connect, join, link, merge, pool, unite; archive, arrange, collate, compile, organize, systematize; scrape (up or together); re-collect, regather, regroup

Near Antonyms

break up, disband, disintegrate, dissolve, separate, sever, split (up); dismiss, send

Synonym Discussion of congregate

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

congregate

adjective con·gre·gate \ ˈkäŋ-gri-gət \

Definition of congregate

:providing or being group services or facilities designed especially for elderly persons requiring supportive services

congregate housing

Origin and Etymology of congregate

see ¹congregate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1900

See Words from the same year

CONGREGATE Defined for English Language Learners

congregate

verb

Definition of congregate for English Language Learners

: to come together in a group or crowd

CONGREGATE Defined for Kids

congregate

verb con·gre·gate \ ˈkäŋ-gri-ˌgāt \

Definition of congregate for Students

congregated; congregating

:to collect or gather into a crowd or group :assemble

Workers congregate around the coffee maker.

Word Root of congregate

The Latin word grex, meaning “flock,”and its form gregis give us the root greg. Words from the Latin grex have something to do with flocks or groups. Anyone gregarious, or social, enjoys being part of the flock. To congregate is to gather as a flock or crowd. To segregate is to separate away from others or away from the flock.