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 of gathering

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

Leaders in one Jersey Shore community have taken a step toward limiting overnight gatherings on their boardwalk. —Laura Fay, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

And the 17-acre Landhuis Bloemhof, a former plantation dating back to 1735, is a bustling cultural hub offering contemporary exhibitions and serving as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. —Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026

Three of Elmer’s siblings also live in Memphis, but since the task force arrived, family gatherings have been few. —Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026

Cannes market, the film festival’s business hub, is collaborating with Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM) on the strategic gathering, which will run from May 15 to 17. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026

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