Collection: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'collection' to describe a group of objects or items that have been gathered, typically with some relevance or value.

• She has a beautiful collection of antique vases
• The museum's collection of artifacts is impressive

Use 'group' for a general reference to a number of people or things that are together or related in some way.

• A group of students stood outside the classroom
• She is part of a hiking group that meets every weekend

Use 'set' for a collection of related but distinct items, often used in mathematics, logic, or for items that are designed to be used together.

• He has a complete set of Shakespeare's works
• The math teacher explained how to find the intersections of two sets

Use 'assembly' to refer to a group of people gathered together for a specific purpose, often formally.

• The town assembly was called to discuss the new regulations
• The assembly of shareholders will take place next week

Use when referring to a group of similar items gathered together, often for a hobby or special purpose.

• He has an impressive collection of vintage cars.
• The art museum’s collection includes many famous paintings.

Use when referring to a variety of different items grouped together, often used in commercial or casual contexts.

• The gift basket contained an assortment of chocolates and nuts.
• She bought an assortment of fruits for the party.

Use when focusing on the choices available from a larger group, implying a process of picking or choosing.

• The restaurant has a great selection of wines.
• She looked through the selection of dresses before making a decision.

Use when talking about the full span or extent of something, often showing variation from one end to the other.

• They offer a wide range of services.
• The price range for these shoes is quite broad.

Used to refer to a group of items gathered together, typically of the same type. This can include art, stamps, books, etc.

• She has an impressive collection of vintage postcards.
• The museum's collection includes many rare artifacts.

Refers to people coming together for a social occasion or meeting. It can also mean the act of collecting information or items.

• We are planning a small gathering for Jim's birthday.
• The intelligence agency is focused on the gathering of data.

Used when collecting money for a specific purpose, typically for charity, projects, or organizations.

• The school is hosting a fundraising event to buy new books.
• They organized a fundraising campaign to support cancer research.

Refers to things that build up over time, often implying a gradual gathering of items or substances. It can have a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on the context.

• The accumulation of dust on the shelves was noticeable.
• Over the years, there has been a significant accumulation of data.