noun
Common
forum
FAW-ruhm
Forum (noun) means a place, meeting, or event set up for open discussion of a topic. Example: “The town hall hosted a forum on the new housing plan.”
noun
1
A place, meeting, or event set up for open discussion of a topic.
"The town hall hosted a forum on the new housing plan."
"She spoke at a public forum about climate policy."
"Local residents attended a forum to share their views on the new bus route."
2
An online message board where people post and reply about shared topics.
"He asked for help fixing his laptop on a tech forum."
"The gaming forum was full of tips for the new update."
"She posted her question on a cooking forum and got answers within minutes."
3
The public square of an ancient Roman city, used for business, politics, and gatherings.
"Tourists walked through the ruins of the old Roman forum."
"Speakers once addressed large crowds in the forum at the heart of ancient Rome."
"Archaeologists have uncovered old paving stones beneath the forum."
How to use forum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA space, physical or online, where people gather to discuss or debate something.
Common pairings
public forum
online forum
open forum
host a forum
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Word forms
- Plural
- forums, fora
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The town hall hosted a _____ on the new housing plan.
Etymology
From Latin forum, "public marketplace" — the same word gave us the modern sense of an open space for debate.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for forum
See all rhymes for forum →Frequently asked questions
What does “forum” mean?
The word “forum” means a place, meeting, or event set up for open discussion of a topic. In plain terms, a space, physical or online, where people gather to discuss or debate something.
How do you pronounce “forum”?
“Forum” is pronounced FAW-ruhm (/ˈfɔɹəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “forum” in a sentence?
Here is “forum” used in a sentence: “The town hall hosted a forum on the new housing plan.”
What part of speech is “forum”?
“Forum” is a noun.
Where does the word “forum” come from?
The word “forum” comes from Latin. From Latin forum, "public marketplace" — the same word gave us the modern sense of an open space for debate.
Is “forum” a common word?
“Forum” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “forum” have?
“Forum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place, meeting, or event set up for open discussion of a topic.
What is the plural of forum — forums or fora?
Both plurals are accepted. Forums is the usual plural in modern English, especially for online message boards, while fora is the original Latin plural and survives mainly in formal or academic writing. Unless you have a specific reason to use fora, forums is the safer choice.
What is the difference between a forum and a debate?
A forum is a place, meeting, or event set up for open discussion of a topic, with no requirement that participants take opposing sides. A debate is a structured argument in which speakers defend opposing positions, often under formal rules. A debate can take place within a forum, but a forum itself is simply the venue for discussion.
What is the difference between a forum and a chat room?
An online forum is a message board where people post and reply in threads that stay visible over time, so conversations can continue for days or even years. A chat room hosts live, real-time conversation whose messages typically scroll away. Forums suit considered, searchable discussion; chat suits immediate back-and-forth.
What was the forum in ancient Rome?
In ancient Roman towns, the forum was the central public square where legal, political, and commercial business took place. Modern English keeps this idea of a shared space for public discussion, applying the word to meetings, events, and online message boards.
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