muster

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈmʌstər/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈmʌstɚ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(mus′tər)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
mus•ter /ˈmʌstɚ/USA pronunciation   v. 
  1. to assemble (troops, etc.), as for battle or inspection: [~ + object]The ship's company was mustered on the main deck.[no object]The ship's company mustered on the main deck.
  2. to gather or summon:[~ + object]He mustered all his courage.
  3. muster out, [no object] to discharge from military service:He was mustered out before the war.

n. [countable]
  1. an assembling of troops or persons for formal inspection or other purposes.
Idioms
  1. Idioms pass muster,  to be judged acceptable:Does his work pass muster, or should he be asked to do it again? 

See -monstr-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
mus•ter  (mus′tər),USA pronunciation v.t. 
  1. to assemble (troops, a ship's crew, etc.), as for battle, display, inspection, orders, or discharge.
  2. to gather, summon, rouse (often fol. by up):He mustered all his courage.

v.i. 
  1. to assemble for inspection, service, etc., as troops or forces.
  2. to come together;
    collect;
    assemble;
    gather.
  3. muster in, to enlist into service in the armed forces.
  4. muster out, to discharge from service in the armed forces:He will be mustered out of the army in only two more months.

n. 
  1. an assembling of troops or persons for formal inspection or other purposes.
  2. an assemblage or collection.
  3. the act of mustering.
  4. MilitaryAlso called mus′ter roll′. (formerly) a list of the persons enrolled in a military or naval unit.
  5. Idiomspass muster:
    • to pass a cursory inspection.
    • to measure up to a certain standard;
      be adequate:Your grades don't pass muster.
  • Latin mōnstrāre to show, derivative of mōnstrum portent; see monster
  • Old French mostrer
  • Middle English mostren (verb, verbal) 1250–1300
    1. convoke. See gather. 1. 4. convene; congregate. 7. gathering, assembly, convention.
    1. 4. scatter, separate.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
muster /ˈmʌstə/ vb
  1. to call together (numbers of men) for duty, inspection, etc, or (of men) to assemble in this way
  2. US
    • muster in ⇒ to enlist into military service
    • muster out ⇒ to discharge from military service
  3. (transitive) sometimes followed by up: to summon or gather: to muster one's arguments, to muster up courage
 n
  1. an assembly of military personnel for duty, inspection, etc
  2. a collection, assembly, or gathering
  3. Austral NZ the rounding up of livestock
  4. pass muster ⇒ to be acceptable
Etymology: 14th Century: from old French moustrer, from Latin monstrāre to show, from monstrum portent, omen
'muster' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
gather - pluck up - summon - monstrance - Muster Day - pass - rally - wappenshaw - saw
Collocations: idiom: her work doesn't [really, quite] pass muster, idiom: his [grades, performances, displays] don't pass muster, a muster of [troops, soldiers, volunteers], more...

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