collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce collection (audio)
1
: the act or process of collecting
the collection of data
the collection of taxes
2
a
: something collected
especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
a collection of poems
a collection of photographs
a baseball card collection
b
: group, aggregate
a collection of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and joint pain
c
: a set of apparel designed for sale usually in a particular season
the designer's spring collection of dresses

Examples of collection in a Sentence

a system of tax collection The technology makes data collection easier. There will be a trash collection this week. The museum's collection is one of the best in the country. We took up a collection for the school renovations. Ten percent of the collection goes to the city's shelters for homeless people.
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.
The latest collection was named Gudrun, after her late mother. Sofia Celeste, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025 Some of the handbags in this collection were embellished and decorated with charms, while others followed simple, clean lines. Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 While the team has become the most successful spring football league franchise, dating back to the years of the initial United States Football League in the 1980s, the Stallions’ growing trophy collection hasn’t quite translated to the team’s bottom line. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 6 Mar. 2025 The collection, with its emphasis on grace, discipline, and raw expression, demanded a hair look that felt just as intentional—understated yet powerful. Lyric Christian, Essence, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collection

Word History

Etymology

Middle English colleccioun, collection, borrowed from Anglo-French collection, borrowed from Latin collēctiōn-, collēctiō "bringing together, accumulation," from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, pull (oneself) together" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of collection was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Collection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collection. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

collection

noun
col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce collection (audio)
1
: the act or process of collecting
2
a
: something collected
especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
3
: a gathering of money
take up a collection

More from Merriam-Webster on collection

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