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

For the occasion, Jenner wore a floor-length orange gown with triangular cutouts below her bust and across her waist. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026

And then there’s Alison’s Isabella Linton, who’s quite doll-like in her candy-pink gowns and bows? —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026

The gown has long sleeves, a wide sweetheart neckline and a fluttery, feminine midiskirt. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026

That black-tie gown that still fits and was expensive enough to warrant saving for a rainy day? —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 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