gown Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
  2. noun the members of a university as distinguished from the other residents of the town in which the university is located
    • the relations between town and gown are always sensitive
  3. noun lingerie consisting of a loose dress designed to be worn in bed by women
    nightdress; night-robe; nightgown; nightie.
  4. noun protective garment worn by surgeons during operations
    scrubs; surgical gown.
  5. noun outerwear consisting of a long flowing garment used for official or ceremonial occasions
    robe.
  6. verb dress in a gown

WordNet

Gown noun
Etymology
OE. goune, prob. from W. gwn gown, loose robe, akin to Ir. gunn, Gael. gùn; cf. OF. gone, prob. of the same origin.
Definitions
  1. A loose, flowing upper garment; especially: (a) The ordinary outer dress of a woman; as, a calico or silk gown. (b) The official robe of certain professional men and scholars, as university students and officers, barristers, judges, etc.; hence, the dress of peace; the dress of civil officers, in distinction from military.
    He Mars deposed, and arms to gowns made yield. Dryden.
    (c) A loose wrapper worn by gentlemen within doors; a dressing gown.
  2. Any sort of dress or garb.
    He comes . . . in the gown of humility. Shak.

Webster 1913