: a number of similar things that occur together: such as
a
: two or more consecutive consonants or vowels in a segment of speech
b
: a group of buildings and especially houses built close together on a sizable tract in order to preserve open spaces larger than the individual yard for common recreation
c
: an aggregation of stars or galaxies that appear close together in the sky and are gravitationally associated
the Perseus cluster of galaxies
d
: a larger than expected number of cases of disease (such as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time
e
: a number of computers networked together in order to function as a single computing system
Consisting of groups of inexpensive machines cobbled together, clusters in many ways have supplanted traditional supercomputers.—
Elizabeth K. Wilson
Elizabeth K. Wilson
clustered; clustering
ˈklə-st(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to collect into a cluster
cluster the tents together
2
: to furnish with clusters
the bridge was clustered with men and officers—Herman Wouk
Herman Wouk
: to grow, assemble, or occur in a cluster
they clustered around the fire
Synonyms
Examples of cluster in a Sentence
Noun
a cluster of cottages along the shore
A small cluster of people had gathered at the scene of the accident.
Verb
The children clustered around the storyteller.
the mice clustered together into a small burrow
Recent Examples on the WebRoger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
Their calling cards are undeniably their flower clusters, which appear in late spring or early summer, last for weeks, and come in varying hues of blue, purple, white, pink, and red.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024
Nearly half of all people with PCOS also have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health markers—including high blood pressure, blood sugar, and a type of fat in the blood called triglycerides—that can absolutely mess with your health, Dr. Vash-Margita says.
—Julia Sullivan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2024
The idea was to land the ships, allow clusters of troops to unload tanks and vehicles, then proceed into the town.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
This position is one of five Regional Managers that provides a highly visible leadership presence for 36 library locations and is responsible for developing the professional skills of personnel located in their cluster/flagship, creative problem solving, and developing partnership activities.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
While the comfortable signature silhouettes remain the same, Simone Rocha’s DNA is infused throughout each style with clusters of pearls, crystals, and beads strategically crafted into the shape of flowers.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Two reporters for The New York Times captured a snapshot of the violence in March, speaking with more than 70 people during a four-day period who said they had been robbed by clusters of armed men in the jungle.
—Julie Turkewitz Federico Rios, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The simulation can track the star's mass, the density of a star cluster, the speed of stars' orbits, the pull gravity has on the stars, and the distance each star is from the supermassive black hole.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Old San Juan, Condado, Miramar and Santurce are clustered within 15 minutes of one another by car, depending on traffic.
—Luisita Lopez Torregrosa, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Due to the way Democrats and Republicans are clustered or spread around different parts of the state, the total number of votes for each party does not always translate into a proportional number of seats in the state Legislature.
—Andrew Hahn, Journal Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2024
Chicago Botanic Garden, Illinois Photo: Getty Images With an astounding 27 gardens clustered throughout 385 acres, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a fever dream of technicolor blooms and incredible plants.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
Some of the gardens are clustered within walking distance; others are within a short drive.
—Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
Leaves cluster at the ends of stems that stand 6 to 12 inches tall.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
Men clustering around a ditch suggested the worst, as did women running at full speed through the dirt.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Its ruins include a densely populated area with houses clustered together that could be accessed from the roof.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Here, beneath the shade of the paradise trees amid a cluster of rickety buildings — where chickens cross the road but the cars don’t — time slows down.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
Their calling cards are undeniably their flower clusters, which appear in late spring or early summer, last for weeks, and come in varying hues of blue, purple, white, pink, and red.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024
Nearly half of all people with PCOS also have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health markers—including high blood pressure, blood sugar, and a type of fat in the blood called triglycerides—that can absolutely mess with your health, Dr. Vash-Margita says.
—Julia Sullivan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2024
The idea was to land the ships, allow clusters of troops to unload tanks and vehicles, then proceed into the town.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
This position is one of five Regional Managers that provides a highly visible leadership presence for 36 library locations and is responsible for developing the professional skills of personnel located in their cluster/flagship, creative problem solving, and developing partnership activities.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
While the comfortable signature silhouettes remain the same, Simone Rocha’s DNA is infused throughout each style with clusters of pearls, crystals, and beads strategically crafted into the shape of flowers.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Two reporters for The New York Times captured a snapshot of the violence in March, speaking with more than 70 people during a four-day period who said they had been robbed by clusters of armed men in the jungle.
—Julie Turkewitz Federico Rios, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The simulation can track the star's mass, the density of a star cluster, the speed of stars' orbits, the pull gravity has on the stars, and the distance each star is from the supermassive black hole.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Verb
Some 2,000 of them dot the Southern Oregon coast, but the most spectacular are clustered along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile stretch of stunning scenery along Highway 101.
—Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Old San Juan, Condado, Miramar and Santurce are clustered within 15 minutes of one another by car, depending on traffic.
—Luisita Lopez Torregrosa, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Due to the way Democrats and Republicans are clustered or spread around different parts of the state, the total number of votes for each party does not always translate into a proportional number of seats in the state Legislature.
—Andrew Hahn, Journal Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2024
Chicago Botanic Garden, Illinois Photo: Getty Images With an astounding 27 gardens clustered throughout 385 acres, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a fever dream of technicolor blooms and incredible plants.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
Some of the gardens are clustered within walking distance; others are within a short drive.
—Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
Leaves cluster at the ends of stems that stand 6 to 12 inches tall.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
Men clustering around a ditch suggested the worst, as did women running at full speed through the dirt.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Its ruins include a densely populated area with houses clustered together that could be accessed from the roof.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cluster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cluster
Cite this Entry
“Cluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cluster. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
cluster
noun
clus·ter
ˈkləs-tər
: a larger than expected number of cases of disease (as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time
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