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

Physical-digital convergence allows for highly interactive artistic performances, public installations, and social gatherings, harnessing AR, computer vision, and advanced robotics to craft multisensory experiences. —Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

When Snapp had family gatherings, Sharkey was always invited — and the other way around. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025

Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison took up Henry’s phrase in a speech at a gathering to commemorate John Brown, who led the violent antislavery raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. —Cassandra Good, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025

Topped with a layer of goat cheese, pecans, and honey, this sweet and nutty appetizer will be a fan-favorite at any gathering. —Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for gathering

• ingathering

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