Gather Meaning
Gather Definition & Usage
To bring things or people together into one place, often for a specific purpose or activity.
Examples
- "The children gathered in the playground after school."
- "We need to gather more information before making a decision."
- "Let's gather all the supplies before we start the project."
- "The organizers are gathering volunteers for the event."
- "She gathered her belongings quickly and left the room."
To accumulate or collect things over time, often in increasing amounts or numbers.
Examples
- "He gathered a large collection of rare stamps."
- "She has been gathering experiences that will help her career."
- "The farmer gathered the crops before the storm arrived."
- "They gathered enough donations to support the cause."
- "Over the years, he has gathered a wealth of knowledge in the field."
To understand, deduce, or infer something from a collection of observations or information.
Examples
- "She gathered that the meeting was postponed after seeing the email."
- "From the clues, they gathered that the thief was familiar with the house."
- "He gathered that she wasn’t interested from the way she responded."
- "By observing their behavior, the teacher gathered the students' levels of understanding."
- "We can gather from his response that he's not happy with the decision."
Cultural Context
The word 'gather' comes from the Old French 'gatherer' and the Latin 'colligere', meaning to collect or assemble. It has been used since the 13th century and retains a sense of bringing things together for a purpose. The word is closely linked to community events, nature, and the idea of accumulation, both physically and mentally.
The Gathering of Ideas
Story
The Gathering of Ideas
In the heart of the quiet town, a group of friends gathered around a wooden table in the local café. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow on their faces as they discussed their upcoming project. Jenny, the organizer of the group, was the first to speak. ‘Alright, let’s gather our thoughts and decide on the main theme for our project.’ The others nodded in agreement. Mark, the quiet one, leaned forward. ‘I think we should gather data on the local community’s needs first,’ he suggested. Everyone agreed, and they set out to gather information from local residents. A week later, they had gathered enough data to move forward. Jenny, always the optimist, said, ‘We’ve gathered more than just information; we’ve gathered ideas, perspectives, and inspiration.’ Their project was a success, not because they gathered facts, but because they gathered different viewpoints, bringing them together in a way that sparked creativity and collaboration. As they celebrated the completion of the project, Mark smiled. ‘You know, we’ve gathered a lot from this experience. Not just facts, but lessons about teamwork and creativity.’ Jenny grinned. ‘I guess we’ve learned how to gather the best from each other.’
Related Words
