ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gathering

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈɡæðɝɪŋ// UK //ɡˈæðəɹɪŋ// gath·er·ing

n. a meeting where a group of people come together for a specific reason. You use this for social events like parties or formal meetings.

n. an assembly or meeting of people for a specific purpose, whether social, religious, or political. Often implies a degree of informality compared to a 'conference' or 'summit'.


SIMPLE

We are having a small family gathering this weekend.

CONTEXTUAL

The local community organized a peaceful gathering in the park to discuss the new housing project.

COMPLEX

While the initial gathering was intended as a private celebration, it quickly evolved into a significant networking event for the city's emerging tech entrepreneurs.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English gadering, from Old English gaderung (“gathering, assembly”), equivalent to gather + -ing (verbal noun ending).

Etymology 2

From Middle English gaderynge, equivalent to gather + -ing (present participle ending).

Usage

Often modified by adjectives like 'social', 'family', or 'informal'.

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