gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈgat͟h-

plural gatherings

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

Noun

• assemblage
• assembly
• conference
• congregation
• convocation
• ingathering
• meeting
• muster

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

Noun

Originally, these were clothes for snow birds and ski bunnies, escaping to elite gathering places. —Steff Yotka, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2024

Their second was a more intimate gathering thrown by King Charles and lasted well until 3 a.m. where the newlyweds celebrated with 300 of their closest family members and friends, including David and Victoria Beckham and Elton John. —Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 29 Apr. 2024

The hundreds of McKinsey partners who attended the Denmark gathering were encouraged to support the firm’s sustainability goals by commuting to the meeting venue using electric taxis or bicycles. —Ambereen Choudhury, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2024

Walkability is one of the premier features of the development, preserving green space and creekside areas and highlighting them as community gathering spaces. —Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 28 Apr. 2024

Students have since formed a gathering space on the grass with rows of tents, along with food distribution, first aid and clothing. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

Creamy, smoky and a little spicy, deviled eggs are a welcome addition to virtually any gathering, from Sunday brunch to neighborly potlucks, sports tailgates and holiday celebrations. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024

Matt, who has long worked in media, remembered it as a gathering spot. —Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2024

As the two exited the studio to get to a car waiting for them outside, Healy guided Swift past a gathering of fans with his hand at her lower back. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024

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

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