collect
/kəˈlɛkt/
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Also an adverb
Meaning
To bring together items, information, or people from various places into one location or group.
Volunteers collected warm coats and blankets for families displaced by the storm.
How much data have you collected so far?
To acquire and keep items of a particular kind as a hobby or investment.
He has collected vintage vinyl records since he was in high school.
Do you still collect rare coins?
To receive money that is owed, required, or donated.
The agency collects taxes on behalf of the county government.
Has the landlord collected rent from all tenants yet?
To accumulate gradually in a particular spot over time.
Rainwater collects in the low corners of the driveway after every storm.
Dust had collected along the top edge of the bookshelf.
How it's used
When this means “receive money that is owed or donated”
- collect funds
“collected them.”
The charity collected funds for the new shelter.
When this means “accumulate”
- collect on the surface
Pollen began to collect on the hood of the car.
Collocations
- collect data
- collect evidence
- collect dust
- collect rent
- collect taxes
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
collect yourself
to regain emotional control after being upset or startled
He took several deep breaths to collect himself before entering the boardroom.
Meaning
With the telephone charges or shipping fees to be paid by the recipient rather than the sender.
Before cell phones, stranded travelers frequently called home collect.
Could you send the package collect to their warehouse?
Idioms
collect your thoughts
to take a moment to calm down and think clearly before speaking or acting
She paused at the podium for a few seconds to collect her thoughts.