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

The back of the dress added a sultry yet classy touch with a corset that laced up from the top to the bottom of the long gown. —Chiara Kim, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

Bergdorf Goodman Cyber Monday Deals Designer items have been marked down to their lowest prices yet at Bergdorf Goodman, and select styles (like the gorgeous column gown below) are an extra 30% off at checkout. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024

From the pale, girlish gowns of childhood, their wardrobes become elegant in color and pattern, contrasting with one another. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024

Her mom Paltrow wore a frothy sheer gown by Valentino Alessandro Michele from Valentino’s spring 2025 Pavillon Des Folies collection, which nodded to the Italian fashion house’s founder. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 1 Dec. 2024

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

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