gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce gathering (audio)
ˈgat͟h-
plural gatherings
Synonyms of gatheringnext
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 of gathering

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Noun

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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
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.
Noun
Sunday's attack occurred as the Saudis hosted a major international energy conference in Riyadh, with other high-profile events including an investment gathering on the horizon. — Samy Magdy, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026 At the heart of the community, the village core serves as a gathering place. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 Loudspeakers around the protest site warned that gatherings of five or more people were banned in parts of New Delhi, as authorities imposed sweeping security restrictions rarely seen in the capital. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Sunday’s attack occurred as the Saudis hosted a major international energy conference in Riyadh, with other high-profile events including an investment gathering on the horizon. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gathering

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gathering was before the 12th century

Rhymes for gathering

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Browse Nearby Words

gather/gain momentum
gathering
gathering coal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gathering. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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
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