American Dictionary

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Definition collect in American English

collect verb

verb
/kəˈlekt/
1

to get things and keep them together for a particular reason

Example

A lot of families collect newspapers for recycling.

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1.1

to get and keep objects because they are interesting or valuable

Example

I didn't know she collected modern art.

Example

He collects stamps.

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1.2

to get information

Example

evidence collected by the police

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2

to get money from someone for a particular purpose

Example

Someone came to collect the rent.

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2.1

to collect money from different people, for example in order to buy a present or to help people who are suffering

Example

They give up their spare time to collect for various charities.

Synonyms and related words
Example

He's old enough to collect his retirement.

Example

The victim collected $250,000 in compensation.

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3

if a crowd of people collects, it forms

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3.1

if a substance collects somewhere, it gradually goes there

Example

With flat roofs, you often find that rain collects in the corners.

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4

to go and get a person or thing. The more common way of saying this is "to pick up" something or someone

Example

Trash is collected on Thursdays.

Example

Both sides returned to collect their dead.

Synonyms and related words
Definition collect in American English