gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce gathering (audio)
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
4
: a gather in cloth
5
: a suppurating swelling : abscess

gathering

2 of 2

present participle of gather entry 1

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Celebration turned into tragedy According to Talley, people were gathered in the parking lot for the school’s annual block party, which marks the final large gathering of homecoming weekend. Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 Champagne Toast 3-Wick Candle This fruity candle smells like a sparkling spritzer—perfect for setting the mood for a festive gathering. Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024 For the second straight general election, San Diego will be without Election Central, the nonpartisan downtown gathering for election results that had become a genuine civic tradition. Andrew Keatts, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 According to the Daily Mail, La Toya Jackson and Marlon Jackson were at the gathering, as well as two of Jermaine Jackson's children, Jaafar Jackson and Jermajesty Jackson. Jack Irvin, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gathering 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gathering was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near gathering

Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gathering. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gathering

noun
1
2
: a pus-filled swelling (as an abscess)
3
: the collecting of food and raw materials from the wild
4
5
: a gather in cloth

Medical Definition

gathering

noun
gath·​er·​ing
: a suppurating swelling : abscess

More from Merriam-Webster on gathering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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