gather
verb (used with object)
to bring together into one group, collection, or place.
was gathering
-
past progressiveof gather.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
As she was gathering her thoughts, Sen. Tim Scott jumped in to say: “I think it’d be helpful for us to talk about the issues of tomorrow and not yesterday.”
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
Kalmaegi was gathering strength on Thursday as it headed towards neighbouring Vietnam, where fear was mounting that the typhoon could compound the damage of a week of flooding that has already claimed 47 lives.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2025
She said she was "gathering the accurate information to answer any legitimate questions and provide the facts".
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2025
He was gathering bits and pieces considered to be “throwaway,” pulling from a “disaster” but shaping them into something vital and new.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025
Meanwhile the pandemonium outside was intensifying with each minute; the raid, it seemed, was gathering momentum.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
