WordGarden.iocluster
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /klˈʌstə/
US
- /ˈkləstər/
Meanings
Noun
a close group of similar things or people
a group of linked computers or servers working together
a set of data points grouped by similarity
More meaningsFewer meanings
a sequence of adjacent sounds or letters, especially consonants
a group of stars or galaxies close together
Verb
to gather or arrange in a close group
Beyond the definition
Imagine stars scattered across the night sky—sometimes they gather in tight little groups; those are clusters! A cluster isn't just for stars, though; it can be anything that gathers closely together. Think of a cluster of grapes on the vine or a cluster of worried faces around a news report. It describes things naturally grouping together, or people intentionally gathering for a common purpose. You might even say a problem is a "cluster" of smaller issues, all tangled together!
A cluster refers to a group of similar things positioned or occurring closely together. It evokes an image of items huddled together, forming a noticeable collection. Think about a beautiful wildflower meadow—you don't see flowers spaced perfectly apart; instead, they grow in clusters, creating patches of vibrant color.
The word can be used literally, as in a "cluster of houses on the hillside"—or it can be used figuratively. A "cluster of symptoms" might describe a set of medical signs that often appear together, hinting at a specific illness. In computer science, a "computer cluster" refers to multiple computers working together as one system.
Sometimes "cluster" implies a bit of disorder or crowding—like a "cluster of cars stuck in traffic." Other times it suggests intentional grouping—a "cluster of students gathered around the teacher." It can even describe abstract concepts, such as a "cluster of ideas" forming a new theory. Whether you're looking at natural formations, technological systems, or simply observing how things gather, "cluster" describes a close-knit collection that stands out because of its proximity and shared characteristics.
Examples
- 1
Buildings
A cluster of houses stood on the hillside.
- 2
Night sky
We could see a small cluster of stars above the trees.
- 3
Reporters
A cluster of reporters waited outside the courthouse.
- 4
Station area
New cafes and bars have started to cluster around the station.
- Patterncluster around + place
form a group around it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Map data
On the map, most of the accidents were clustered near the airport.
- Patternbe clustered near + place
be grouped close together near that place
- 6
Fruit growth
The berries grow in clusters at the end of each branch.
- 7
Complaint data
The data shows a cluster of similar complaints from the same neighborhood.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- a cluster of trees
- star cluster
- cluster of cases
- data cluster
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- clusternounverb
Forms
- clusterspluralnounverb
- clusteredpast tenseverbnoun
- clustering-ing formverbnoun