gather
verb (used with object)
to bring together into one group, collection, or place.
had gathered
-
past perfectof gather.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was arrested in 2022 after a 15-hour police siege at the school, where supporters had gathered to prevent his arrest.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
A number of people had gathered near the scene of the incident on Sunday evening.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
We arrived at the demonstration, which had gathered near the Pyramid of Tirana—once a museum to the Communist era’s leader, Enver Hoxha, and now a cultural and community center—at quarter past 8.
From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026
The foursome had gathered in an apartment on Wilcox Avenue early on July 24 when an argument broke out, according to police.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
“Must've been a good speech,” I said when we walked out of a restaurant in Chicago to find that a crowd had gathered on the sidewalk to wait for him.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
