gath·er·ing
ˈga-t͟hə-riŋ 
ˈgat͟h-
plural gatherings
1
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
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
Marvin Harris3
4
: a gather in cloth
5
: a suppurating swelling : abscess
gathering
2 of 2present 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
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Due to segregation laws, African Americans were banned from holding large public gatherings.
—Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The annual gathering seeks to facilitate consensus on the most pressing global economic and geopolitical challenges and to coordinate responses.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Minnesota state officials urged residents to avoid the gatherings, though many still attended and the protests remained largely peaceful.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gathering
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Noun
Focused on education, the arts and local businesses, the gathering’s goal is to unify the community through fun and family friendly activities, according to the event website.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Due to segregation laws, African Americans were banned from holding large public gatherings.
—Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The annual gathering seeks to facilitate consensus on the most pressing global economic and geopolitical challenges and to coordinate responses.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Minnesota state officials urged residents to avoid the gatherings, though many still attended and the protests remained largely peaceful.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gathering
Cite this Entry
“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gathering. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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