gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

a

: a loose flowing outer garment formerly worn by men

b

: a distinctive robe worn by a professional or academic person

c

: a woman's dress

d(1)

: dressing gown

(2)

: nightgown

e

: a coverall worn in an operating room

2

: the body of students and faculty of a college or university

rivalry between town and gown

gown transitive verb

Synonyms

• dress
• frock

Examples of gown in a Sentence

The bride wore a lovely lace wedding gown.

a shopping trip for the express purpose of finding the perfect gown for the wedding

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout the circuit, and the Wicked press tour that preceded it, Grande stepped up her red carpet game in a variety of designer gowns that ushered in her new era. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Leave a comment View Comments Her daughter filmed a TikTok about Kauffman-Wood’s attempt to get the gown. —Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025

As for the authentic gown that cost in the neighborhood of $200K? —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025

At the New York City Ballet’s fall gala last year, Parker emerged in a metallic-silver floral gown by Oscar de la Renta. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French gune, goune, from Late Latin gunna, a fur or leather garment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gown

• ball gown
• dressing gown
• evening gown
• Geneva gown
• hospital gown
• tea gown

Rhymes for gown

• bown
• clown
• crown
• drown
• frown
• lown
• noun
• town
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown

Kids Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

1

: an official robe worn especially by a judge, a member of the clergy, or a teacher

2

: a woman's dress

especially : one suitable for afternoon or evening wear

3

: a loose robe (as a dressing gown or a nightgown)

gown verb

gowned

ˈgau̇nd

adjective

Medical Definition

gown

noun

ˈgau̇n 

: a garment designed to be worn by health care professionals or patients: such as

a

: a sterile one-piece coverall worn by health care personnel especially during a medical procedure to prevent the dispersal of bodily fluids or infectious material : surgical gown

b

: a loose robe that is usually open in the back and is worn by patients in a medical facility (such as a hospital) : hospital gown