gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce gathering (audio)
ˈgat͟h-
plural gatherings
Synonyms of gatheringnext
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

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Noun

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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
Those at high risk for serious complications or planning to travel or attend large gatherings might consider getting their shots sooner, such as two weeks ahead of those events. — Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 Designed for everyday living, the floorplans offer open gathering spaces alongside flexible areas that can adapt to everyday life, from working at home and hosting guests to simply having more room to spread out. — Jenuane Communities, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Yet after electing a City Council super-majority in 2024, Santa Monica began a multifaceted, $60 million Realignment Plan designed to prepare the city for mass gatherings timed to the Olympics and other events. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Since achieving widespread fame in 2013, Rettig has overseen gatherings that have introduced thousands of novices to toad smoking. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for gathering

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Browse Nearby Words

gather/gain momentum
gathering
gathering coal
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Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gathering. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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