gathering

A group of people coming together in one place for a meeting or event.

• A large gathering filled the square.
• The speaker addressed a gathering of teachers.
• Public gatherings were banned during the emergency.

How to use it: gathering of someone/something (A gathering of local residents filled the hall.)

Similar words: assembly, meeting

Common phrases: public gathering, large gathering, gathering of people, family gathering

A group of paper sheets folded together to form one section of a book.

• The binder checked each gathering.
• One gathering was missing from the printed book.
• The gatherings were sewn together along the spine.

How to use it: gathering of something (Each gathering of sheets is sewn into the binding.)

Similar words: signature, section

Common phrases: folded gathering, gathering of sheets, sew a gathering

Coming together in increasing numbers or becoming stronger.

• Gathering clouds covered the hills.
• We hurried home through the gathering darkness.
• The gathering crowd soon blocked the narrow street.

Similar words: accumulating, increasing

Opposites: dispersing

Common phrases: gathering clouds, gathering storm, gathering darkness