gathering

[ gath-er-ing ]

noun

1. an assembly or meeting.

   Synonyms: assemblage

2. an assemblage of people; group or crowd.

   Synonyms: throng, company, concourse, congregation

3. a collection, assemblage, or compilation of anything.
4. the act of a person or thing that gathers.
5. something that is gathered together.
6. a gather or a series of gathers in cloth.
7. an inflamed and suppurating swelling.

   Synonyms: carbuncle, abscess, boil

8. (in a flue, duct, or the like) a tapered section forming a transition between two sections, one of which has a greater area than the other.
9. Bookbinding. a section in a book, usually a sheet cut into several leaves.

gathering

/ ˈɡæðərɪŋ /

noun

1. a group of people, things, etc, that are gathered together; assembly
2. sewing a gather or series of gathers in material
3. 1. the formation of pus in a boil
   2. the pus so formed
4. printing an informal name for section

Word History and Origins

Origin of gathering¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English gaderinge, Old English gaderunge; equivalent to gather + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Ms Nash is now gathering DNA samples from the relatives of the other 300 missing soldiers, in the hope she can give more families the same peace and joy she has brought Cameron, Tabby and Michael.

From BBC

If the Senate doesn’t dismiss Gabbard’s nomination as an insult to the enterprise of intelligence gathering and analysis, then we are in serious trouble as a nation.

From Slate

Even more disappointing for the Rams, they had a couple of key offensive linemen back and were starting to feel as if they were gathering momentum.

From Los Angeles Times

It is the first time any of the three headliners have been the main acts at the rock gathering.

From BBC

Think of an IndieCade happening as a showcase for what’s underground, what’s next and what’s important in interactive storytelling, a gathering that takes a wide-angle view to all things play.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• association
• caucus
• collection
• conclave
• conference
• congregation
• convention
• crowd
• function
• group
• mass
• meeting
• party
• throng