: 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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Two dense clusters of the spindly florals become a bikini-tie top, worn with an open-front catsuit that looks like it was drawn directly onto the models body.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Many vacationers also come to soak in the area’s natural springs, which are clustered in historic spa towns like Bad Aussee.
—Jenny Comita, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cluster 
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Noun
These finds include a cluster of precious metal objects.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Two dense clusters of the spindly florals become a bikini-tie top, worn with an open-front catsuit that looks like it was drawn directly onto the models body.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
In Manhattan, many of these structures are clustered in a corridor of midtown called Billionaires’ Row, where hedge-fund managers, foreign plutocrats, and celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Sting have reportedly bought units.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Many vacationers also come to soak in the area’s natural springs, which are clustered in historic spa towns like Bad Aussee.
—Jenny Comita, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
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 13 Feb. 2025.
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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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