United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
"The gates foundation recently announced a new grant to support local schools."
plural of gate
"The security guards at the airport gates are checking every passenger's boarding pass before they can enter their respective terminals."
In plain English: Gates are barriers that can be opened or closed to control who or what passes through an entrance.
"The children ran through the open gates to get into the park."
Usage: Use "gates" to refer to multiple barriers that control entry or exit, such as those found at a stadium, zoo, or estate. Avoid using this term for single openings unless you are specifically discussing the collective set of doors in a location like an airport or fairground.
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of gate
"The toddler gates herself into a corner and refuses to come out."
In plain English: To gate something means to close it off or stop people from entering or leaving.
"The crowd began to gates when the concert ended."
Usage: Do not use "gates" as a verb in standard English; it is grammatically incorrect because the third-person singular form of the verb to gate is simply "gates" only when referring to operating a physical barrier, while the slang term for moving erratically is spelled "gate." If you intend to describe running wildly with arms outstretched, use the base form "gate" or conjugate it correctly as "gates," "gated," or "gating," but never use "gates" as a standalone verb meaning to move uncontrollably.
A topographic surname.
"The Gates family has lived on that hillside for three generations, though their name is actually a topographic surname indicating they once dwelt near the gate of an old manor."
The surname Gates originated as a topographic name for someone who resided near the entrance to a medieval walled town. It traveled into English usage to describe people living at these fortified gateways.