collect

1 of 3

noun

col·​lect ˈkä-likt How to pronounce collect (audio)
 also  -ˌlekt
1
: a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion
specifically, often capitalized : one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the day
2

collect

2 of 3

verb

col·​lect kə-ˈlekt How to pronounce collect (audio)
collected; collecting; collects

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring together into one body or place
b
: to gather or exact from a number of persons or sources
collect taxes
c
: to gather an accumulation of (objects) especially as a hobby
collects stamps
2
3
: to gain or regain control of
collect his thoughts
4
: to claim as due and receive payment for
5
: to get and bring with one
specifically : pick up
went to collect her at the train station

intransitive verb

1
: to come together in a band, group, or mass : gather
2
a
: to collect objects
b
: to receive payment
collecting on the insurance

collect

3 of 3

adverb or adjective

col·​lect kə-ˈlekt How to pronounce collect (audio)
: to be paid for by the receiver
Choose the Right Synonym for collect

gather, collect, assemble, congregate mean to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit.

gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

Examples of collect in a Sentence

Verb They hope to collect over 1,000 signatures on the petition. He collected stories from all over the world. They collected information about the community. We collected soil samples from several areas on the site. We collected our baggage from the baggage claim at the airport. I left my suit at the cleaners and I have to collect it today. She enjoys collecting antique teapots. He has an impressive stamp collection, though he has been collecting for only a few years. I took a minute to collect my thoughts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Now the Pac-12 is asking the court to help the league collect. USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 This 21-disc set collects and reissues that ambitious and short-lived series (apart from three Karlheinz Stockhausen releases, withheld at the request of the composer’s estate), and in the process resuscitates its experimental intrigue. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023 Low spots where rainwater collects are also opportunities for swales. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023 The amount and type of data your car collects depends on the make, model and features of your vehicle. Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2023 Deputy Superintendent Julie Williams presented the proposal to board members and noted that the information MGT collects will be sociodemographic and perceptual. Al Gaspeny, Arkansas Online, 28 July 2023 The air filters can be easily washed when dust or debris collects, helping to improve air quality. Amber Nolan, Treehugger, 13 July 2023 The basin where the rain and meltwater collect was formerly covered by Suicide Glacier, which used to contribute ice to the Mendenhall Glacier. Becky Bohrer, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2023 Over the next 30 years, the annual shortfall between what Washington spends on federal programs and collects in tax revenue - the gap is known as the deficit - is expected to fall as a share of the economy by 2027, then begin growing again, and by 2053 reaching levels not seen since World War II. Tony Romm, Anchorage Daily News, 28 June 2023
Verb
During the appeal, Carroll will not collect the $83.3 million awarded to her by a federal jury. Andrew Torgan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 The pair of blockbusters, which have grossed more than $965 million combined in the United States and Canada (and $2.4 billion globally), have managed to translate their commercial success to awards recognition, collecting a total of 21 Oscar nominations. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 In the group, migrants offer housecleaning services and seek landscaping jobs, while moms collect donations to buy tools and equipment for the new arrivals. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024 The statement said the cause was acute subdural hematoma, a condition in which blood collects between the skull and brain. Kiuko Notoya, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 These batteries store energy collected by the station’s solar arrays. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 The teachers had hoped to begin collecting signatures this month and turn them in by June. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 The sap is then collected into buckets or bags attached to the tree that the children gathered and measured. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 In the meantime, grainy images were shared by Intuitive Machines — the company that developed Odysseus — after the craft’s rough landing limited its ability to collect and send data. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Adverb or adjective
The octogenarian monetarist, who knew the value a dollar from all angles, would phone back collect. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'collect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English collecte, collet, borrowed from Anglo-French collecte, borrowed from Medieval Latin collēcta, perhaps going back to Late Latin, in sense "gathering place, assembly" (assuming the original reference was to ōrātiō ad collēctam, a prayer recited at the congregation's gathering place), going back to Latin, feminine of collēctus, past participle of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate" — more at collect entry 2

Verb

Middle English collecten "to accumulate, infer, calculate," borrowed from Anglo-French collecter, borrowed from Latin collēctus, past participle of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, pull (oneself) together," from col-, assimilated variant of com- com- + legere "to gather by picking or plucking, select, choose" — more at legend

Adverb or adjective

derivative of collect entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1563, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adverb Or Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of collect was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near collect

Cite this Entry

“Collect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collect. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

collect

1 of 3 noun
col·​lect ˈkäl-ikt How to pronounce collect (audio)
 also  -ˌekt
: an opening prayer in the Communion service or the Mass

collect

2 of 3 verb
col·​lect kə-ˈlekt How to pronounce collect (audio)
1
a
: to bring or come together into one body or place
b
: to gather from a number of sources
collect stamps
2
: to gain or regain control of
collecting my thoughts
3
: to demand and take payment for
collect a bill
4
: to form in a heap or mass : accumulate
junk collecting in the attic
collectible adjective
or collectable
kə-ˈlek-tə-bəl

collect

3 of 3 adverb or adjective
col·​lect kə-ˈlekt How to pronounce collect (audio)
: to be paid for by the receiver
a collect phone call
call collect
Etymology

Noun

Middle English collecte "prayer," from early French collecte (same meaning), from Latin collecta "prayer, collect," shortened form of oratio ad collectam "prayer upon assembly," derived from earlier collectus "collected," derived from colligere "to gather together," from col-, com- "together" and legere "to gather" — related to legend

Verb

from Latin collectus "collected," from colligere "to gather together," from col-, com- "together" and legere "to gather" — related to legend

More from Merriam-Webster on collect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!