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

The lavish ceremony, which was broadcast live on Canadian television, saw Dion walk in a luxurious Mirella and Steve Gentile gown and a Swarovski crystal headdress. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Navy cadets who stayed at the house during World World II were the first to report a ghostly woman in a white gown walking the hallways of the house, and further reports of strange happenings emerged in the 1970s during the house’s time as space for the music conservatory. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025

Watch Dacus—decked out in a red Rodarte gown—run amok despite the efforts of a museum guard (played actress Havana Rose Liu) in the clip below. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 15 Jan. 2025

Resplendent gowns, see-through ensembles, and more hit the runway too. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Jan. 2025

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