convention
kuhn-VEHN-shuhn
Convention (noun) means a large formal gathering of people who share a profession, interest, or cause. Example: “Thousands of fans attended the comic convention.”
noun
1
A large formal gathering of people who share a profession, interest, or cause.
"Thousands of fans attended the comic convention."
"The party held its national convention in Chicago."
"Local gardeners gathered at the annual convention to swap tips and seeds."
2
A formal agreement between countries or groups, often part of international law.
"The Geneva Convention sets rules for the treatment of prisoners of war."
"Several countries signed a convention to protect migratory birds."
"The convention bans certain chemicals, and member states must report their progress each year."
3
An accepted way of doing something, followed simply because it is customary.
"It is a convention in English to capitalise the first word of a sentence."
"Wearing black to a funeral is a long-standing social convention."
"By convention, the bride's family usually sits on the left side of the church."
How to use convention
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a big organised meeting, a formal treaty, or simply "the way things are usually done."
Common pairings
social convention
attend a convention
sign a convention
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Word forms
- Plural
- conventions
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Etymology
From Latin conventio, "a coming together, an agreement," from convenire, "to come together."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for convention
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for convention →
Frequently asked questions
What does “convention” mean?
The word “convention” means a large formal gathering of people who share a profession, interest, or cause. In plain terms, either a big organised meeting, a formal treaty, or simply "the way things are usually done.".
How do you pronounce “convention”?
“Convention” is pronounced kuhn-VEHN-shuhn (/kənˈvɛn.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “convention” in a sentence?
Here is “convention” used in a sentence: “Thousands of fans attended the comic convention.”
What part of speech is “convention”?
“Convention” is a noun.
Where does the word “convention” come from?
The word “convention” comes from Latin. From Latin conventio, "a coming together, an agreement," from convenire, "to come together.".
Is “convention” a common word?
“Convention” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “convention” have?
“Convention” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large formal gathering of people who share a profession, interest, or cause.
What is the difference between a convention and a conference?
Both are organised gatherings, but a convention is usually larger and broader, drawing everyone connected to a profession, hobby, or cause, often with exhibitions and entertainment. A conference tends to be more focused on presentations, talks, and professional exchange. In practice the words overlap, and usage varies by industry and country.
What are examples of conventions?
Conventions cover almost any shared interest. There are industry conventions for professions like medicine or technology, fan conventions for comics, films, and gaming, and political conventions where parties gather to set direction or choose candidates. They typically feature talks, exhibitions, and networking, drawing large crowds to one venue over several days.
Does convention have other meanings?
Yes. Besides a large gathering, convention can mean an accepted custom or way of doing things — social conventions like shaking hands. It can also mean a formal agreement between states or groups, such as the Geneva Convention. All these senses trace back to the idea of coming together or agreeing.
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