Gates vs. Gate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 16, 2024
"Gates" refers to multiple entry or exit points, often signifying barriers, while "gate" is the singular form, representing a single point of access or barrier.
Difference Between Gates and Gate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A "gate" is a movable barrier, usually part of a fence or wall, designed to provide controlled access to an area. It serves both functional and decorative purposes, varying in size, design, and material, depending on its intended use. "Gates," the plural form, implies more than one such barrier, often used in contexts where multiple points of entry or exit are discussed, emphasizing the scale or extent of controlled access.
In terms of function, a single gate can regulate access to a private property, garden, or secured area, serving as a point of security and transition. Multiple gates, or "gates," might be found in larger complexes, such as airports, theme parks, or communities, where they manage the flow of people or vehicles across various points, enhancing overall security and organization.
The design and construction of a gate can range from simple wooden garden gates to elaborate wrought iron estate gates. When discussing "gates," it often involves considerations of consistency in design, functionality across different access points, and the logistics of managing multiple entrances or exits within a larger scheme.
Symbolically, a "gate" can represent an entrance or threshold to a new place or state, such as "the gate to heaven." In the plural form, "gates" can imply a multitude of opportunities or barriers, as in "the gates of opportunity are open to everyone," suggesting diversity and abundance in what lies beyond.
Despite these distinctions, "gate" and "gates" are often used interchangeably in colloquial language, especially when the exact number of gates is not critical to the context or when referring to a complex with multiple access points in a general sense.
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Comparison Chart
XNumber
Plural, indicating multiple entry or exit points
Singular, referring to one entrance or exit point
Function
Control access across various points in a larger area
Controls access to a specific area
Design
Often involves consistent design across all gates
Can range from simple to elaborate
Symbolism
Implies multiple opportunities or barriers
Represents an entrance or threshold to a new place/state
Use in Context
Used when discussing multiple access points
Used when focusing on a single point of access
Compare with Definitions
Gates
A hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or hedge.
He pushed the garden gate open and stepped inside.
Gate
A hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or hedge.
He pushed the garden gate open and stepped inside.
Gates
In a figurative sense, a gate can represent the means of entry or access to something.
The new policy acted as a gate to better healthcare.
Gate
In a figurative sense, a gate can represent the means of entry or access to something.
The new policy acted as a gate to better healthcare.
Gates
Gate can also refer to electronic gates in circuits, controlling the flow of electrical signals.
The logic gate processed the input signals to produce an output.
Gate
Gate can also refer to electronic gates in circuits, controlling the flow of electrical signals.
The logic gate processed the input signals to produce an output.
Gates
In sports, gates refer to the total number of spectators attending an event.
The football match drew a gate of over 10,000 fans.
Gate
In sports, gates refer to the total number of spectators attending an event.
The football match drew a gate of over 10,000 fans.
Gates
The term "gate" can be part of compound nouns, indicating various types of barriers or entry points.
The airport installed new security gates for enhanced passenger safety.
Gate
The term "gate" can be part of compound nouns, indicating various types of barriers or entry points.
The airport installed new security gates for enhanced passenger safety.
Gates
Plural of gate
Gate
A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word derived from old Norse "gat" meaning road or path; But other terms includ yett and port.
Gates
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
Gate
A structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway.
Gate
An opening in a wall or fence for entrance or exit.
Gate
The structure surrounding such an opening, such as the monumental or fortified entrance to a palace or walled city.
Gate
A doorway or walkway in a terminal, as at an airport, through which passengers proceed when embarking or disembarking.
Gate
A waiting area inside a terminal, abutting such a doorway or walkway.
Gate
A means of access
The gate to riches.
Gate
A mountain pass.
Gate
The total paid attendance or admission receipts at a public event
A good gate at the football game.
Gate
A device for controlling the passage of water or gas through a dam or conduit.
Gate
The channel through which molten metal flows into a shaped cavity of a mold.
Gate
(Sports) A passage between two upright poles through which a skier must go in a slalom race.
Gate
A logic gate.
Gate
A path or way.
Gate
A particular way of acting or doing; manner.
Gate
Chiefly British To confine (a student) to the grounds of a college as punishment.
Gate
(Electronics) To select part of (a wave) for transmission, reception, or processing by magnitude or time interval.
Gate
To furnish with a gate
"The entrance to the rear lawn was also gated" (Dean Koontz).
Gate
A doorlike structure outside a house.
Gate
Doorway, opening, or passage in a fence or wall.
Gate
Movable barrier.
The gate in front of the railroad crossing went up after the train had passed.
Gate
Passageway (as in an air terminal) where passengers can embark or disembark.
Gate
A location which serves as a conduit for transport, migration, or trade.
Gate
The amount of money made by selling tickets to a concert or a sports event.
Gate
(computing) A logical pathway made up of switches which turn on or off. Examples are and, or, nand, etc.
Gate
(electronics) The controlling terminal of a field effect transistor (FET).
Gate
In a lock tumbler, the opening for the stump of the bolt to pass through or into.
Gate
(metalworking) The channel or opening through which metal is poured into the mould; the ingate.
Gate
The waste piece of metal cast in the opening; a sprue or sullage piece. Also written geat and git.
Gate
(cricket) The gap between a batsman's bat and pad.
Singh was bowled through the gate, a very disappointing way for a world-class batsman to get out.
Gate
(cinematography) A mechanism, in a film camera and projector, that holds each frame momentarily stationary behind the aperture.
Gate
(flow cytometry) A line that separates particle type-clusters on two-dimensional dot plots.
Gate
A tally mark consisting of four vertical bars crossed by a diagonal, representing a count of five.
Gate
A way, path.
Gate
(obsolete) A journey.
Gate
A street; now used especially as a combining form to make the name of a street e.g. "Briggate" (a common street name in the north of England meaning "Bridge Street") or Kirkgate meaning "Church Street".
Gate
Manner; gait.
Gate
(transitive) To keep something inside by means of a closed gate.
Gate
(transitive) To punish, especially a child or teenager, by not allowing them to go out.
Gate
To open a closed ion channel.
Gate
(transitive) To furnish with a gate.
Gate
(transitive) To turn (an image intensifier) on and off selectively as needed, or to avoid damage from excessive light exposure. See autogating.
Gate
A large door or passageway in the wall of a city, of an inclosed field or place, or of a grand edifice, etc.; also, the movable structure of timber, metal, etc., by which the passage can be closed.
Gate
An opening for passage in any inclosing wall, fence, or barrier; or the suspended framework which closes or opens a passage. Also, figuratively, a means or way of entrance or of exit.
Knowest thou the way to Dover?Both stile and gate, horse way and footpath.
Opening a gate for a long war.
Gate
A door, valve, or other device, for stopping the passage of water through a dam, lock, pipe, etc.
Gate
The places which command the entrances or access; hence, place of vantage; power; might.
The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Gate
In a lock tumbler, the opening for the stump of the bolt to pass through or into.
Gate
The channel or opening through which metal is poured into the mold; the ingate.
Gate
A way; a path; a road; a street (as in Highgate).
I was going to be an honest man; but the devil has this very day flung first a lawyer, and then a woman, in my gate.
Gate
Manner; gait.
Gate
To supply with a gate.
Gate
To punish by requiring to be within the gates at an earlier hour than usual.
Gate
A door-like movable barrier in a fence or wall
Gate
A computer circuit with several inputs but only one output that can be activated by particular combinations of inputs
Gate
Total admission receipts at a sports event
Gate
Passageway (as in an air terminal) where passengers can embark or disembark
Gate
Supply with a gate;
The house was gated
Gate
Control with a valve or other device that functions like a gate
Gate
Restrict (school boys') movement to the dormitory or campus as a means of punishment
Common Curiosities
Can "gates" refer to opportunities?
Yes, in a metaphorical sense, "gates" can symbolize multiple opportunities or pathways.
Is the function of a gate limited to security?
While security is a primary function, gates also serve decorative, symbolic, and practical purposes such as controlling livestock.
How do electronic gates differ from physical gates?
Electronic gates in circuits control the flow of electrical signals, while physical gates control physical access to spaces.
Can gates be automated?
Yes, many gates, especially in driveways or secure facilities, are automated for convenience and enhanced security.
How does the design of a gate impact its function?
The design affects functionality in terms of security, privacy, and ease of use. Ornate designs may emphasize status or aesthetic, while simple designs might focus on practicality.
Can a single property have multiple gates?
Yes, a property can have multiple gates, often for different purposes such as pedestrian and vehicle access.
Are all gates made of metal or wood?
Gates can be made from various materials including metal, wood, plastic, and composite materials, depending on their purpose and desired aesthetic.
Are gates used in all cultures and countries?
Yes, gates are a universal feature in architecture and design, though styles and specific uses may vary by culture.
Do gates always need to be part of a fence or wall?
Typically, gates are part of a fence or wall, but they can also stand alone as decorative elements or barriers.
Is the symbolism of gates universally understood?
While the basic symbolism of gates as points of transition is widespread, specific interpretations can vary culturally and individually.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
