First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1congregate
verb con·gre·gate \-ˌgāt\
: to come together in a group or crowd
con·gre·gat·edcon·gre·gat·ing
Full Definition of CONGREGATE
transitive verb
: to collect into a group or crowd : assemble
intransitive verb
: to come together into a group, crowd, or assembly
— con·gre·ga·tor \-ˌgā-tər\ noun
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Origin of CONGREGATE
Middle English, from Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare, from com- + greg-, grex flock
Related to CONGREGATE
Synonym Discussion of CONGREGATE
gather, collect, assemble, congregate mean to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit. gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state <a crowd quickly gathered>. collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement <collected books on gardening>. assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose <experts assembled for a conference>. congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle <congregating under a shelter>.
2congregate
adjective con·gre·gate \-gət\
Definition of CONGREGATE
: providing or being group services or facilities designed especially for elderly persons requiring supportive services <congregate housing>
First Known Use of CONGREGATE
1900
CONGREGATES Defined for Kids
congregate
verb con·gre·gate \ˈkäŋ-gri-ˌgāt\
con·gre·gat·edcon·gre·gat·ing
Definition of CONGREGATE for Kids
: to collect or gather into a crowd or group : assemble <Workers congregate around the coffee maker.>
Word Root of CONGREGATE
The Latin word grex, meaning “flock,”and its form gregis give us the root greg. Words from the Latin grex have something to do with flocks or groups. Anyone gregarious, or social, enjoys being part of the flock. To congregate is to gather as a flock or crowd. To segregate is to separate away from others or away from the flock.
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