gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ 

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

: collection, compilation

4

: a gather in cloth

5

: a suppurating swelling : abscess

gathering

2 of 2

present participle of gather entry 1

Synonyms

Noun

• assemblage
• assembly
• conference
• congregation
• convocation
• ingathering
• meeting
• muster

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

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

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

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