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Definition of glean

glean

/ɡliːn/
glean
Adjective:gleanable
•
Past Simple:gleaned
•
Past Participle:gleaned
•
Present Participle:gleaning
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glean Lexical Profile

glean Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To extract or collect information from various sources gradually or bit by bit.

Example

"Historians were able to glean valuable insights about daily life in the medieval village from surviving parish records."

2

To gather leftover grain or other produce from a field after the main harvest has been reaped.

Example

"Local volunteers were invited to glean the remaining apples in the orchard so that nothing would go to waste."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for glean
Antonyms
View all antonyms for glean

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'glean' (to gather information or crops bit by bit) with 'gleam' (to shine brightly).

• Rhymes for glean

• Nearby Words

glazing
gleam
gleamy
glean
gleanings
glee
gleeful

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English glenen, borrowed from Old French glener ('to gather leftover grain after harvest'), ultimately from Late Latin glennare, which is likely of Gaulish (Celtic) origin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Glean. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/glean
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