gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈgat͟h-

plural gatherings

1

: a coming together of people in a group (as for social, religious, or political purposes) : assembly, meeting

an informal gathering

a gathering of world leaders

planned a big family gathering

2

: the collecting of food or raw materials from the wild

Hunting and gathering also added to the food supply. Wild fruits, berries and mollusks were gathered …

—Barbara A. Leitch

… peoples who raise domesticated animals and who do not depend on hunting, gathering, or the planting of their own crops …

—Marvin Harris

3

: collection, compilation

4

: a gather in cloth

5

: a suppurating swelling : abscess

gathering

2 of 2

present participle of gather entry 1

Synonyms

Noun

• assembly
• meeting
• assemblage
• conference

Examples of gathering in a Sentence

Noun

I see my cousins only at occasional family gatherings.

dinner parties and other social gatherings

a gathering of political leaders

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Its Keigan Genius Salon revived the intimate cross-disciplinary gatherings of 18th-century Europe — bringing together designers, artists and cultural figures to explore the intersection of fashion, architecture and art. —Li Jun, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025

Rich hues of yellow, red, and orange mums dot our porches, and for social gatherings, our fall styles echo the staple colors of the season. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025

Jordan Poyer and Rachel Bush might not be new to the NFL franchise, but 2025 marked their first time hosting the festive gathering. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

This week, Alphonse spends time with Monaleo and talks about keeping Houston rap tradition alive at a classic family gathering. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gaderyng, gederunge, going back to Old English gadrung, gædrung, gegaderung, gegadrung "joining, union, assembly," from gadrian, gaderian "to join, unite, gather entry 1" + -ung -ing entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

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

Rhymes for gathering

• ingathering

Kids Definition

gathering

noun

1

: assembly sense 1, meeting

2

: a pus-filled swelling (as an abscess)

3

: the collecting of food and raw materials from the wild

4

: collection sense 2a

5

: a gather in cloth

Medical Definition

gathering

noun

gath·​er·​ing

: a suppurating swelling : abscess