First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1gather
verb gath·er \ˈga-thər also ˈge-\
: to bring (things or people) together into a group
: to choose and collect (things)
: to get or take (things) from different people or places and bring them together
gath·eredgath·er·ing \ˈgath-riŋ, ˈga-thə-\
Full Definition of GATHER
transitive verb
1
: to bring together : collect <tried to gather a crowd> <gathered firewood>
2
3
: to serve as an attraction for : accumulate <books gathering dust>
4
: to effect the collection of <gather contributions>
5
a : to summon up <gathered his courage> b : to gain by gradual increase <gather speed> c : to prepare (as oneself) by mustering strength d : to gain or regain control of <gathered his wits>
6
: to reach a conclusion often intuitively from hints or through inferences <I gather that you want to leave>
7
a : to pull (fabric) along a line of stitching so as to draw into puckers b : to draw about or close to something <gathering her cloak about her> c : to bring together the parts of <gathered her hair into a ponytail> d : to assemble (the signatures of a book) in sequence for binding e : to haul in <the sailors gathered the sails>
intransitive verb
1
a : to come together in a body b : to cluster around a focus of attraction
2
— gath·er·er \-thər-ər\ noun
See gather defined for English-language learners
See gather defined for kids
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Origin of GATHER
Middle English gaderen, from Old English gaderian; akin to Middle High German gadern to unite — more at good
Related to GATHER
- Synonyms
- accumulate, amass, assemble, bulk (up), collect, concentrate, congregate, constellate, corral, garner, group, lump, pick up, round up, get together
Synonym Discussion of GATHER
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>.
synonyms see in addition infer
2gather
noun
: a fold formed when cloth is pulled together
Full Definition of GATHER
1
2
: an act or instance of gathering
See gather defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GATHER
1555
GATHER Defined for Kids
1gather
verb gath·er \ˈga-thər\
gath·eredgath·er·ing
Definition of GATHER for Kids
1
: to pick up and collect <They gathered wood for the fire.>
2
: to choose and collect <gather fruit> <I'm gathering facts for my report.>
3
: to come together in a group or around a center of attraction <A crowd gathered on the sidewalk.>
4
: to gain little by little <gather speed>
5
: to bring or call forth (as strength or courage) from within
6
: to get an idea : conclude <I gather you don't agree.>
7
: to draw together in or as if in folds <She gathered her cloak about her.>
Synonym Discussion of GATHER
gather, collect, and assemble mean to come or bring together. gather is used for the coming or bringing together of different kinds of things. <They gathered all the goods in the house and sold them.> collect is used for a careful or orderly gathering of things that are often of one kind. <It's fun to collect coins.> assemble is used for a gathering of units into an orderly whole. <The choir assembled and started to sing.>
2gather
noun
Definition of GATHER for Kids
: the result of gathering cloth : pucker
Medical Dictionary
gather
intransitive verb gath·er \ˈgath-ər, ˈgeth-\
gath·eredgath·er·ing \-(ə-)riŋ\
Medical Definition of GATHER
: to swell and fill with pus <the boil is gathering>
Learn More About GATHER
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