gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

a

: a usually long and formal woman's dress

a wedding gown

b

: a distinctive robe worn by a professional or academic person

a graduation gown

c

: a distinctive long outer garment worn by a member of the clergy

d

: a loose flowing outer garment worn formerly by men

e(1)

: dressing gown

(2)

: nightgown

f

: a coverall worn in an operating room

2

: the body of students and faculty of a college or university

rivalry between town and gown

gown transitive verb

Synonyms of gown

• dress

Examples of gown in a Sentence

The bride wore a lovely lace wedding gown.

a shopping trip for the express purpose of finding the perfect gown for the wedding

Recent Examples on the Web

Wearing a stunning floor-length, halter neck sequin gown with an open back that showed off many of her tattoos, the artist standing on stage was indeed a little bit of both worlds — and, more than anything else, that’s what this anniversary is truly celebrating. —Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2026

The scents of fresh flowers and beautiful floral gowns are coming back to NorthPark Center. —Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026

Ralph Lauren is a staple designer in the Duchess’s wardrobe, wearing the label’s main ready-to-wear gowns and suits, and the more casual diffusion line for its flowy shirts and pants that blend seamlessly into her Montecito mom, quiet luxury aesthetic. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026

Her custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown was a sleeveless ivory silk that looked demure enough from the front, but had a skin-baring split down both sides. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French gune, goune, from Late Latin gunna, a fur or leather garment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Phrases Containing gown

• ball gown
• dressing gown
• evening gown
• Geneva gown
• hospital gown
• tea gown

Rhymes for gown

• bown
• clown
• crown
• drown
• frown
• lown
• noun
• town
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown

Kids Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

: an official robe worn especially by a judge, a member of the clergy, or a teacher

2

: a woman's dress

especially : one suitable for afternoon or evening wear

3

: a loose robe (as a dressing gown or a nightgown)

gown verb

gowned

ˈgau̇nd

adjective

Medical Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

: a garment designed to be worn by health care professionals or patients: such as

a

: a sterile one-piece coverall worn by health care personnel especially during a medical procedure to prevent the dispersal of bodily fluids or infectious material : surgical gown

b

: a loose robe that is usually open in the back and is worn by patients in a medical facility (such as a hospital) : hospital gown