gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

a

: a loose flowing outer garment formerly worn by men

b

: a distinctive robe worn by a professional or academic person

c

: a woman's dress

d(1)

: dressing gown

(2)

: nightgown

e

: a coverall worn in an operating room

2

: the body of students and faculty of a college or university

rivalry between town and gown

gown transitive verb

Synonyms

• dress
• frock

Examples of gown in a Sentence

The bride wore a lovely lace wedding gown.

a shopping trip for the express purpose of finding the perfect gown for the wedding

Recent Examples on the Web

Dressed in a stunning white gown, the bride was filmed seated in the corner of the room, apparently unfazed, casually munching on a snack and keeping herself cool with a handheld electric fan. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Featuring an internal corset and a bow tied at the waist, Roan’s second ensemble nodded to bridal gowns of the 1950s and ’60s. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, departed from her character's signature green in an elegant strapless black gown that featured a striking structured skirt. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Greta Lee chose a more minimalist look, opting for a sculptural black The Row gown reminiscent of the voluminous white Marc Jacobs dress that Sarah Paulson wore to the WSJ Innovators Awards in New York earlier in the week. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French gune, goune, from Late Latin gunna, a fur or leather garment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gown

• ball gown
• dressing gown
• evening gown
• Geneva gown
• hospital gown
• tea gown

Kids Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

: an official robe worn especially by a judge, a member of the clergy, or a teacher

2

: a woman's dress

especially : one suitable for afternoon or evening wear

3

: a loose robe (as a dressing gown or a nightgown)

gown verb

gowned

ˈgau̇nd

adjective

Medical Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

: a garment designed to be worn by health care professionals or patients: such as

a

: a sterile one-piece coverall worn by health care personnel especially during a medical procedure to prevent the dispersal of bodily fluids or infectious material : surgical gown

b

: a loose robe that is usually open in the back and is worn by patients in a medical facility (such as a hospital) : hospital gown