gathering

1 of 2

noun

gath·​er·​ing ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce gathering (audio)
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
4
: a gather in cloth
5
: a suppurating swelling : abscess

gathering

2 of 2

present participle of gather entry 1

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Trump is also expected to meet with other foreign leaders throughout the week, including Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who will be a prominent new addition to the gathering. Mariam Khan, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2025 The attack at a recreational facility typically considered a safe community gathering space has shaken residents across the region. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 The family had a discussion about values as the boys chose their signs for the Berkley gathering. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025 Rich hues of yellow, red, and orange mums dot our porches, and for social gatherings, our fall styles echo the staple colors of the season. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gathering

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gathering was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gathering. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gathering

noun
1
2
: a pus-filled swelling (as an abscess)
3
: the collecting of food and raw materials from the wild
4
5
: a gather in cloth

Medical Definition

gathering

noun
gath·​er·​ing
: a suppurating swelling : abscess

More from Merriam-Webster on gathering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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