(1.) Of cities, as of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 37:13; Nehemiah 1:3; 2:3; 3:3), of Sodom (Genesis 19:1), of Gaza (Judges 16:3).

(2.) Of royal palaces (Nehemiah 2:8).

(3.) Of the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:34, 35; 2 Kings 18:16); of the holy place (1 Kings 6:31, 32; Ezek. 41:23, 24); of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate (Acts 3:2).

(4.) Tombs (Matthew 27:60).

(5.) Prisons (Acts 12:10; 16:27).

(6.) Caverns (1 Kings 19:13).

(7.) Camps (Exodus 32:26, 27; Hebrews 13:12).

The materials of which gates were made were,

(1.) Iron and brass (Psalm 107:16; Isaiah 45:2; Acts 12:10).

(2.) Stones and pearls (Isaiah 54:12; Revelation 21:21).

(3.) Wood (Judges 16:3) probably.

At the gates of cities courts of justice were frequently held, and hence "judges of the gate" are spoken of (Deuteronomy 16:18; 17:8; 21:19; 25:6, 7, etc.). At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages (Proverbs 1:21; 8:3; Isaiah 29:21; Jeremiah 17:19, 20; 26:10). Criminals were punished without the gates (1 Kings 21:13; Acts 7:59). By the "gates of righteousness" we are probably to understand those of the temple (Psalm 118:19). "The gates of hell" (R.V., "gates of Hades") Matthew 16:18, are generally interpreted as meaning the power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that the Church of Christ shall never die.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) A large door or passageway in the wall of a city, of an enclosed field or place, or of a grand edifice, etc.; also, the movable structure of timber, metal, etc., by which the passage can be closed.

2. (n.) 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.

3. (n.) A door, valve, or other device, for stopping the passage of water through a dam, lock, pipe, etc.

4. (n.) The places which command the entrances or access; hence, place of vantage; power; might.

5. (n.) In a lock tumbler, the opening for the stump of the bolt to pass through or into.

6. (n.) The channel or opening through which metal is poured into the mold; the ingate.

7. (n.) The waste piece of metal cast in the opening; a sprue or sullage piece.

8. (v. t.) To supply with a gate.

9. (v. t.) To punish by requiring to be within the gates at an earlier hour than usual.

10. (n.) A way; a path; a road; a street (as in Highgate).

11. (n.) Manner; gait.