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

Inside, the inviting Great Room is the place for gatherings with family and friends, while outside, the wraparound lānai opens to jaw-dropping views of the Pacific, the island’s Spouting Horn landmark, and Kauaʻi’s vibrant sunsets. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026

In ritual gatherings, music, incense and movement create a space where the unseen becomes, briefly, tangible. —Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026

Co-owner Kirsten Dixon lets the lodge and her nearby farm serve a broader community purpose during those months by hosting writing and wellness retreats, Alaska food community events, farmer meetings, and community gatherings. —Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026

The Tucson Police Department, working alongside the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, launched a coordinated deployment after identifying a large gathering. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 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