gather

1 of 2

verb

gath·​er ˈga-t͟hər 

 also  ˈge-

gathered; gathering ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈgat͟h-

transitive verb

1

: to bring together : collect

tried to gather a crowd

gathered firewood

2

a

: pick, harvest

gather flowers

b

: to pick up or amass as if by harvesting

gathering ideas for the project

c

: to scoop up or take up from a resting place

gathered the child up in his arms

3

: to serve as an attraction for : accumulate

books gathering dust

4

: to effect the collection of

gather contributions

5

a

: to summon up

gathered his courage

b

: to gain by gradual increase

gather speed

c

: to prepare (oneself) by mustering strength

d

: to gain or regain control of

gathered his wits

6

: to reach a conclusion often intuitively from hints or through inferences

I gather that you want to leave

7

a

: to pull (fabric) along a line of stitching so as to draw into puckers

b

: to draw about or close to something

gathering her cloak about her

c

: to bring together the parts of

gathered her hair into a ponytail

d

: to assemble (the signatures of a book) in sequence for binding

e

: to haul in

the sailors gathered the sails

intransitive verb

1

a

: to come together in a body

b

: to cluster around a focus of attraction

2

a

: to swell and fill with pus

b

: grow, increase

the gathering crisis

gatherer

ˈga-t͟hər-ər 

 also  ˈge-

noun

gather

2 of 2

noun

1

: something brought together: such as

a

: a puckering in cloth made by gathering (see gather entry 1 sense 7a)

b

: a mass of molten glass collected for use in glassblowing

2

: an act or instance of bringing together

Synonyms

Verb

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

Choose the Right Synonym for gather

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

synonyms see in addition infer

Examples of gather in a Sentence

Verb

Give me just a minute to gather my things and then we can leave.

The coach gathered her players together.

She gathered her hair into a ponytail.

The child was gathering flowers to give to his mother.

The police are continuing to gather evidence relating to the crime.

Volunteers have been gathering contributions for the new library.

A crowd began to gather on the sidewalk.

The players gathered together to hear the coach's game plan.

The bicyclists gathered speed as they went downhill.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

From the evidence gathered, the conclusion was that Ms. Washburn’s actions violated O.R.C. §3319.141, Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 14.01(H), a number of Board Policies, including 3432 (Sick Leave) and 3210 (Staff Ethics). —Jennifer Edwards Baker and Chancelor Winn, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024

In the carousel, a crowd and news cameras gathered in front of the establishment as people recorded the historic moment on their cell phones. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

While some organizations such as NASA have compiled useful guides for viewing the eclipse and learning more about it, others have developed mobile apps to gather all of the information and tools together in one place. —Will Henshall, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024

Their temple — formed last summer in the affluent neighborhood of Woodland Hills when two synagogues merged — would be a beacon of goodwill and understanding, a place where L.A. Jews and Muslims could gather in mutual toleration, appreciation and grace. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

The country’s armed opposition has gathered strength in recent months. —Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

In the church courtyard, a gray-haired man is sweeping up broken glass and gathering small pieces of concrete. —Claire Harbage, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024

In Nebraska, owners of private wells are being urged to test their private wells to gather more data on the extent of nitrate contamination. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

Protesters gathered across Tehran to vent their anger and burn Israeli and American flags. —Helen Regan, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024

Noun

Typically, the extended royal family gathers for Easter at Windsor Castle before heading to church together. —Max Foster, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024

Outside, a crowd of damp customers waiting their turn gathers near the door at the City West Commons spot — undaunted by the afternoon rain. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024

Traditionally, the royal family gathers at Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday and takes a short walk to St. George’s Chapel for a church service, where crowds gather to greet them. —Conor Murray, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Yet even as efforts to shut down the facility gather strength, some officials and environmental advocates are skeptical such a move will help. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024

Friends old and new gather for an epic battle to save Central City one last time. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 May 2023

As a stellium of planets gathers in your fouth house of home and lineage this month, the desire to know your past intensifies, and the dynamics between your family members or housemates becomes extra charged. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2024

See All of Kate Middleton's Holiday Looks Through the Years Each year at Christmas, the British royal family gathers at Sandringham. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 25 Dec. 2023

Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Each Sunday morning, the congregation of the International Deliverance Praying Ministry gathers in front of their church, ready to be let in. —Joel Khalili, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English gaderen, from Old English gaderian; akin to Middle High German gadern to unite — more at good

Noun

derivative of gather entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gather

• gain/gather steam
• gather/gain momentum
• gather momentum/strength

Kids Definition

gather

1 of 2 verb

gath·​er ˈgat͟h-ər 

 also  ˈget͟h-

gathered; gathering ˈgat͟h-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to bring together : collect

2

: pick entry 1 sense 2b, harvest

3

: to gain by gradual increase

gather speed

4

: to prepare (as oneself) by calling on strength

gather courage to dive

5

: to draw about or close to something

6

: to pull (cloth) along a line of stitching so as to draw into puckers

7

: guess sense 1, deduce

8

: to come together in a body or around a center of attraction

a crowd gathered round

9

: increase entry 1, grow

a storm gathered outside

gatherer

ər-ər 

noun

gather

2 of 2 noun

: the result of gathering cloth : pucker

Medical Definition

gather

intransitive verb

gath·​er ˈgat͟h-ər, ˈget͟h- 

gathered; gathering -(ə-)riŋ 

: to swell and fill with pus

the boil is gathering