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

Nowadays, though, the mindset around wear-it-once bridal gowns is slowly changing, amid rising concerns around sustainability and the sheer wastefulness of the industry. —Emily Chan, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025

Kesha stunned in a red latex ensemble while Rita Ora had several outfit changes including a sheer lacy gown. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025

Marchesa has dressed a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers, including Scarlett Johansson, Viola Davis, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez and Zendaya, who made her 2016 Golden Globes debut wearing a custom Marchesa gown. —Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024

And she's been dressing the part, swapping her stiletto heels and gowns in favor of big coats, chunky sweaters, and the aforementioned cowboy hat. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Dec. 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