Gate Definition

gāt

gated, gates, gating

noun

gates

A movable framework or solid structure, esp. one that swings on hinges, controlling entrance or exit through an opening in a fence or wall.

Webster's New World

An opening providing passageway through a fence or wall, with or without such a structure; gateway.

Webster's New World

The structure surrounding such an opening, such as the monumental or fortified entrance to a palace or walled city.

American Heritage

A means of access.

The gate to riches.

American Heritage

Any means of entrance, exit, or access; specif., any of the numbered areas at an airport terminal, typically including a waiting area, from which passengers board and exit an airplane.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

gates

To confine (a student) to the college grounds.

Webster's New World

To select part of (a wave) for transmission, reception, or processing by magnitude or time interval.

American Heritage

To furnish with a gate.

Webster's New World

To keep something inside by means of a closed gate.

Wiktionary

(biochemistry) To open a closed ion channel.

Wiktionary

suffix

A scandal involving alleged illegal acts and often a cover-up, especially by government officials.

Irangate.

American Heritage

Combined with keywords to form the names of scandals.

Wiktionary

Used to form place names.

Wiktionary

idiom

get the gate

To be dismissed or rejected.

American Heritage

give (someone) the gate

To discharge from a job.
To reject or jilt.

American Heritage

give (<i>or</i> get) the gate

to subject (or be subjected) to dismissal

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Gate

Noun

Singular:

gate

Plural:

Gates

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Gate

get the gate
give (someone) the gate
give (or get) the gate

Origin of Gate

From Old English ġeat, from Proto-Germanic *gatą (“hole, opening”) (cf. Swedish/Dutch gat, Low German Gaat, Gööt), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰed-ye/o (“to defecate”) (cf. Albanian dhjes, Ancient Greek χέζω (khézō), Old Armenian ձետ (jet, “tail”), Avestan [script?] (zadah, “rump”)).

From Wiktionary
From Old Norse gata, from Proto-Germanic *gatwǭ. Cognate with Danish gade, Swedish gata, German Gasse (“lane”).

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old Norse gata ghē- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English geat

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Back-formation from Watergate.

From Wiktionary
From Old English geat.

From Wiktionary
After Watergate

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition