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
Synonyms
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 WebMicah A Leal, Southern Living, 5 June 2024
This ceremonial center of Ellis provides a place of activity, encouraging impromptu gatherings and feel-good fun in the sun.
—Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
The firm’s current auction, Grateful Dead 2: Rare and Curated Items, is a wide-ranging gathering of band treasures and ephemera, artwork and vintage sound equipment.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
White House officials said on Tuesday that Mr. Biden would meet with Mr. Zelensky while in France and then again during the G7 gathering in Italy.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for gathering 
Noun
Ingredients for Lady Baltimore Cake This pillowy cake is delicious for any gathering, but particularly fitted for more elegant occasions, including holidays and weddings.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 5 June 2024
This ceremonial center of Ellis provides a place of activity, encouraging impromptu gatherings and feel-good fun in the sun.
—Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
The firm’s current auction, Grateful Dead 2: Rare and Curated Items, is a wide-ranging gathering of band treasures and ephemera, artwork and vintage sound equipment.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
White House officials said on Tuesday that Mr. Biden would meet with Mr. Zelensky while in France and then again during the G7 gathering in Italy.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for gathering
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gathering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gathering. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
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