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
Example Sentences
Verb It's a place where the homeless congregate. Skiers congregated around the lodge's fireplace.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Families who live far apart can congregate around the fishing hole, travel around the world, attend a concert or just hang out in a lounge and chat. Amanda Reiman, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2022 The decline of Covid-19 in the region has turbocharged companies that operate in the real world wherever people congregate, like hotels, restaurants, live entertainment and so on. Justin Doebele, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Boaters of all backgrounds and interests will congregate at the Orange County Convention Center this weekend as the Orlando Boat Show floats into Central Florida once again. Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 The gravitational waves might congregate outside a black hole’s event horizon and concentrate their energy to such an extent that a separate singularity would form. Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 4 Aug. 2022 At the time, renters were using these houses to congregate in large groups while restaurants and bars were closed because of pandemic restrictions. Johnny Diaz, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2022 The decision opened doors for gays and lesbians to congregate with less fear of police harassment, but gay bars were still far from being a rainbow utopia for everyone.Bon Appétit, 22 June 2022 Common chemical sprays contain deltamethrin, a pesticide known to kill stink bugs, and can be used near common entry points or around windows or other spots where the bugs like to congregate. Natalie Schumann, Country Living, 14 June 2022 On dark nights when the moon is new, refrigerator-size males produce low-frequency booming sounds by contracting their swim bladders, calling other groupers to congregate around shipwrecks or rocky reefs. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 13 June 2022
Adjective
Darling says congregate housing does not work because the vast majority of homeless people won’t move without a room of their own. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2022 The congregate fallout of COVID, however, is likely not. Erin Prater, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022 Support is needed to offer affordable congregate shelter to people in need. Roxanne De La Rosa, The Arizona Republic, 17 July 2022 Efforts to reinstate the congregate lunch service are under way.cleveland, 17 June 2022 The coalition has taken a leadership role in the effort as the city seeks to shut down its congregate shelter at Sullivan Arena. Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Apr. 2022 Three decades after the Tompkins Square riots, the housing crisis has become only more dire, while fear of the congregate shelter system has remained unchanged.New York Times, 2 Apr. 2022 Contra Costa Health Services offers community clinics, free mobile vaccine services for workplaces and community organizations, and vaccine services for homebound and congregate living residents. Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2022 There have been six monkeypox cases in Los Angeles County reported in congregate housing settings, such as homeless shelters and the jail system.Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Adjective
Middle English, from Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare, from com- + greg-, grex flock