: a number of similar things that occur together: such as
a
: two or more consecutive consonants or vowels in a segment of speech
b
: a group of buildings and especially houses built close together on a sizable tract in order to preserve open spaces larger than the individual yard for common recreation
c
: an aggregation of stars or galaxies that appear close together in the sky and are gravitationally associated
the Perseus cluster of galaxies
d
: a larger than expected number of cases of disease (such as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time
e
: a number of computers networked together in order to function as a single computing system
Consisting of groups of inexpensive machines cobbled together, clusters in many ways have supplanted traditional supercomputers.—
Elizabeth K. Wilson
Elizabeth K. Wilson
clustered; clustering
ˈklə-st(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to collect into a cluster
cluster the tents together
2
: to furnish with clusters
the bridge was clustered with men and officers—Herman Wouk
Herman Wouk
: to grow, assemble, or occur in a cluster
they clustered around the fire
Synonyms
Examples of cluster in a Sentence
Noun
a cluster of cottages along the shore
A small cluster of people had gathered at the scene of the accident.
Verb
The children clustered around the storyteller.
the mice clustered together into a small burrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoe Sottile, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
The finding, reported in the journal Nature, helps explain how clusters of neurons in the body play a key role in the gut-brain connection.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Dec. 2024
The least at-risk counties were clustered in the South, although some counties in the Midwest, Northeast, and West of the country were also noted.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cluster 
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Noun
Unnerved residents have frequently reported seeing drones hovering overhead, sometimes traveling in clusters.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
The finding, reported in the journal Nature, helps explain how clusters of neurons in the body play a key role in the gut-brain connection.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
The homes were clustered together, with no streets separating them.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Dec. 2024
The least at-risk counties were clustered in the South, although some counties in the Midwest, Northeast, and West of the country were also noted.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cluster
Dictionary Entries Near cluster
Cite this Entry
“Cluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cluster. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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Medical Definition
cluster
noun
clus·ter
ˈkləs-tər
: a larger than expected number of cases of disease (as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time
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