gaggle

noun gag·gle \ ˈga-gəl \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of gaggle

1 : flock; especially : a flock of geese when not in flight — compare skein

2 : a group, aggregation, or cluster lacking organization

a gaggle of reporters and photographers

3 : an indefinite number

participated in a gaggle of petty crimes

See gaggle defined for English-language learners

See gaggle defined for kids

Examples of gaggle in a Sentence

a noisy gaggle of photographers

Recent Examples of gaggle from the Web

Then a gaggle of Warriors sprinted toward Richardson, engulfing her in hugs.

— steve sadin, chicagotribune.com, "Girls track notebook: Highland Park's Taylor Gilling ready for state encore," 12 May 2018
Bell Labs hired a gaggle of computer whizzes in the 1970s.

— elizabeth stinson, WIRED, "What Artists Can Teach Us About Making Technology More Human," 10 May 2018
Most of the other actors are patients, with a gaggle of ghosts thrown in for good measure.

— terry teachout, WSJ, "‘Good for Otto’ Review: Mental Health in Full Relief," 8 Mar. 2018
On Tuesday, the designer behind the iconic BMW Z8 and a gaggle of Aston Martins will unveil the electric Fisker EMotion at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

— editors, USA TODAY, "5 things you need to know Tuesday," 9 Jan. 2018
Eventually, a gaggle of us sat down in the grass of UVA's Lawn to reminisce while looking up at the school's famous Rotunda.

— natalie van der meer, Woman's Day, "A Reunion Weekend in a Honda CR-V," 8 July 2014
Designers have been able to raise their voices on the platform to garner attention, often invoking the David-and-Goliath analogy to gather a gaggle of supporters.

— chavie lieber, Vox, "Fashion brands steal design ideas all the time. And it’s completely legal.," 27 Apr. 2018
The rest of New Orleans' slate contains several peculiarities alongside the gaggle of night games.

— josh katzenstein, NOLA.com, "New Orleans Saints 2018 preseason schedule with dates and times," 20 Apr. 2018
After redshirting the 2016 season, Bates went into last year behind a gaggle of veterans, but played in all 14 games.

— dave southorn, idahostatesman, "Inspired by Gronk, Boise State tight end has one goal in mind this year: ‘be dominant’ | Idaho Statesman," 9 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of gaggle

derivative of gaggle "to cackle," going back to Middle English gagelyn, of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

GAGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

gaggle

noun

Definition of gaggle for English Language Learners

: a group of geese : a flock of geese
: a group of people

GAGGLE Defined for Kids

gaggle

noun gag·gle \ ˈga-gəl \

Definition of gaggle for Students

1 : a group of animals and especially a flock of geese

2 : a group of people

a gaggle of tourists

Learn More about gaggle

See words that rhyme with gaggle Spanish Central: Translation of gaggle Nglish: Translation of gaggle for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gaggle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up gaggle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

gaggle

Definition of gaggle

Examples of gaggle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gaggle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gaggle

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

GAGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

gaggle

Definition of gaggle for English Language Learners

GAGGLE Defined for Kids

gaggle

Definition of gaggle for Students

Learn More about gaggle

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

cajole

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

gaggle

Definition of gaggle

Examples of gaggle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gaggle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gaggle

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

GAGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

gaggle

Definition of gaggle for English Language Learners

GAGGLE Defined for Kids

gaggle

Definition of gaggle for Students

Learn More about gaggle

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word