collection

noun

col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce collection (audio)
1
: the act or process of collecting
the collection of data
the collection of taxes
2
a
: something collected
especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
a collection of poems
a collection of photographs
a baseball card collection
b
: group, aggregate
a collection of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and joint pain
c
: a set of apparel designed for sale usually in a particular season
the designer's spring collection of dresses

Examples of collection in a Sentence

a system of tax collection The technology makes data collection easier. There will be a trash collection this week. The museum's collection is one of the best in the country. We took up a collection for the school renovations. Ten percent of the collection goes to the city's shelters for homeless people.
Recent Examples on the Web The bellwether perhaps began with Pharrell Williams’s Louis Vuitton men’s collections and their floor length coats. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 The outerwear joins Donna's growing collection of merch dedicated to her sons. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Top 5 Can’t Miss The world’s first department store, Le Bon Marché, is worth a stop for the architecture and art alone, with a collection of more than 80 pieces of contemporary art and furniture. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2024 Our legacy is not just a collection of content but a history of pixels burned into our screens, minds, and hearts. Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 When turned upside down, a collection of tiny, multi-color balls make their way through the tube, creating a gentle, rainstick-like sound. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 CPAs can represent clients in front of the IRS for audits, appeals, and collections but not in legal proceedings. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 To be considered, applicants must have created at least two womenswear, menswear or genderless collections, according to the LVMH Prize website. Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Last year, the nation's three credit reporting companies made changes to remove paid debts and medical collections under $500 from credit reports. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'collection.' 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

Middle English colleccioun, collection, borrowed from Anglo-French collection, borrowed from Latin collēctiōn-, collēctiō "bringing together, accumulation," from colleg-, variant stem of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, pull (oneself) together" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at collect entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of collection was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near collection

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

collection

noun
col·​lec·​tion kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce collection (audio)
1
: the act or process of collecting
2
a
: something collected
especially : an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
3
: a gathering of money
take up a collection

More from Merriam-Webster on collection

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