muster

play

noun mus·ter \ˈməs-tər\

Definition of muster

1 : a representative specimen (see specimen 1) : sample musters of goods for sale
2a : an act of assembling; specifically : formal military inspection Call out the troops to stand muster.b : critical examination slipshod work that would never pass musterc : an assembled group : collection a muster of biographical facts — Timed : inventory were sent … to take the musters of this expedition — G. R. Elton

See muster defined for English-language learners

Examples of muster in a Sentence

a muster of concerned citizens
considering the muster of suggestions that were submitted for “word of the year”

Origin and Etymology of muster

Middle English mustre, from Anglo-French mostre, monstre, from mustrer

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

muster

verb mus·ter

Definition of muster

mustered

;

mustering

play \-t(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb
1a : to cause to gather : conveneb : to enroll formally —usually used with in or into was mustered into the armyc : to call the roll of
2a : to bring together : collectb : to call forth : rouse
3 : to amount to : comprise
intransitive verb
: to come together : congregate

See muster defined for English-language learners

See muster defined for kids

Examples of muster in a Sentence

They pushed the car with all the strength they could muster.
a command to muster the troops

Origin and Etymology of muster

Middle English mustren to show, muster, from Anglo-French mustrer, monstrer, from Latin monstrare to show, from monstrum evil omen, monster — more at monster

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of muster

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority. was summoned to answer charges call may be used less formally for summon . called the legislature into special session cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge. cited for drunken driving convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes. convoked a Vatican council convene is somewhat less formal than convoke . convened the students muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole. mustered the troops

MUSTER Defined for English Language Learners

muster

play

noun

Definition of muster for English Language Learners

: a formal military gathering to examine or test soldiers

muster

verb

Definition of muster for English Language Learners

: to work hard to find or get (courage, support, etc.)
: to gather together (a group of people, soldiers, etc.) especially for battle or war

MUSTER Defined for Kids

muster

play

noun mus·ter \ˈmə-stər\

Definition of muster for Students

1 : a formal gathering of military troops for inspection
2 : an act of careful examination or consideration to determine whether something is acceptable or good enough Your excuses will not pass muster.

muster

play

verb mus·ter

Definition of muster for Students

mustered

;

mustering

1 : to call together (as troops) for roll call or inspection
2 : to bring into being or action I shall await your arrival with all the eagerness I can muster. — E. B. White, Stuart Little