Collate Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms collate American [kuh-leyt, koh-, ko-, koh-leyt, kol-eyt] / kəˈleɪt, koʊ-, kɒ-, ˈkoʊ leɪt, ˈkɒl eɪt /

verb (used with object)

collated, collating

1. to gather or arrange in their proper sequence (the pages of a report, the sheets of a book, the pages of several sets of copies, etc.).

2. Bookbinding. to verify the arrangement of (the gathered sheets of a book), usually by inspecting the signature at the foot of the first page of each sheet or the mark printed on the back of each sheet or on the spine of each signature.

3. to compare (texts, statements, etc.) in order to note points of agreement or disagreement.

4. Bibliography. to verify the number and order of the sheets of (a volume) as a means of determining its completeness.

5. Computers. to merge (sequenced data from two or more data sets or files) to produce a new sequenced data set or file.

6. Ecclesiastical. to present by collation, as to a benefice.

collate British / kɒˈleɪt, kə- /

verb

1. to examine and compare (texts, statements, etc) in order to note points of agreement and disagreement

2. (in library work) to check the number and order of (the pages of a book)

3. bookbinding

   1. to check the sequence of (the sections of a book) after gathering

   2. a nontechnical word for gather

4. (often foll by to) Christianity to appoint (an incumbent) to a benefice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• collatable adjective
• collator noun

Etymology

Origin of collate

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin collātus “borne together,” past participle of conferre “to bear together,” from con- con- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry”; for the suppletive element -lātus, earlier tlātus (unrecorded), thole 2, tolerate

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.

The number of tickets issued for 20mph speed offences was almost half a million last year, according to data collated from police forces in Great Britain by campaign group, 20's Plenty For Us.

From BBC

Famous stars were selected from the top 2,000 Artists of All Time, a list collated by the ranking website Acclaimed Music.

From BBC

Instead, the platform was "more commonly used by individuals collating images for inspiration and idea curation," she said.

From BBC

He told vehicle owners that forensic scientists had inspected the car stacker and advised them to collate any costs and expenses incurred as a result of the incident.

From BBC

Data collated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, latest available 2024*

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.