Huddling: meaning, definitions and examples

Covered in the first entry for 'huddling'.

A physical act of embracing someone with one's arms, generally to show affection, sympathy, or comfort.

• She gave her friend a big hug when they met after years.
• After the sad news, he needed a comforting hug from his family.

Often refers to a group of objects or living things that are physically close together. It can pertain to plants, trees, and other non-human subjects.

• There was a clump of daisies in the middle of the field.
• The hairdresser found a clump of hair in the comb.

Describes a group of similar things or people gathered closely together. It is often used in contexts involving data, stars, or grapes.

• The scientist found a cluster of stars in the night sky.
• There was a cluster of tourists around the famous monument.

Huddling is often used to describe a small, informal group coming together closely, usually in a physical sense, and often in a secretive or urgent situation.

• The football team was huddling to discuss their next play.
• We were huddling under the umbrella to stay dry during the rain.

Meeting generally refers to a planned and formal gathering of people to discuss or decide on specific topics. It's commonly used in professional or business settings.

• We have a team meeting every Monday morning.
• The board of directors will be having a meeting to discuss the budget.

A conference is a large, formal gathering of people, usually for discussion and exchange of information on specific topics. It's often scheduled well in advance and involves multiple sessions or presentations.

• She is attending an international health conference next week.
• The tech company held a conference to unveil their latest products.

Discussion is a broad term that refers to talking about a topic in detail, usually among a group of people. It can be formal or informal and is often used in educational, professional, or casual settings.

• The teachers had a discussion about the new curriculum.
• We can have a discussion on this topic after lunch.