conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce conference (audio)
-fərn(t)s,
 for sense 2 usually  kən-ˈfər-ən(t)s
1
a
: a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern
The president is in conference with his advisers.
b
: a usually formal interchange of views : consultation
a conference on climate change
c
: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences
d
: caucus
2
or less commonly conferrence : bestowal, conferment
the conference of academic degrees
3
a
: a representative assembly or administrative organization of a religious denomination
b
: a territorial division of a religious denomination
4
: an association of athletic teams
a football conference
conferential adjective

Examples of conference in a Sentence

The organization held its annual conference in New York this year. national conferences on women's health a conference of foreign ministers Our boss called a conference to discuss the new changes. He spent an hour in conference with the president. the champions of the American Football Conference
Recent Examples on the Web Hayes Applauds Teenager Thompson Coach Hayes rightfully heaped praise on Thompson in her post-match conference, saying the youngster has a lot to offer for the national side. Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Go deeper: Prosecutors to review new evidence in Menendez brothers case Editor's note: This story has been updated with more details from the press conference. Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 The summit, held in Kazan, Russia, gathered 20 heads of state, over a dozen other diplomatic envoys, and even the secretary-general of the United Nations for a conference that further solidified President Vladimir Putin’s network of influence. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Oct. 2024 Rihanna channeled her inner soccer mom at a Fenty x Puma conference on Thursday in Los Angeles, which promoted the Avanti sneaker. Hannah Malach, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conference 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French and Medieval Latin; Middle French conference, borrowed from Medieval Latin conferentia "contribution, discussion," noun derivative from conferent-, conferens, present participle of conferre "to bring or take, convey, bring together" — more at confer

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of conference was in 1527

Dictionary Entries Near conference

Cite this Entry

“Conference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conference. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

conference

noun
con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce conference (audio)
-fərn(t)s
1
: a meeting for discussion or exchange of opinions
also : the discussion itself
2
: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to settle differences
3
: an association of athletic teams
a football conference

Legal Definition

conference

noun
con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-frəns, -fə-rəns How to pronounce conference (audio)
1
: a meeting for consultation, deliberation, discussion, or interchange of opinions
a conference on environmental law
see also judicial conference, pretrial conference
2
: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature especially to adjust differences in the provisions of a bill passed in different forms by the two branches
3
: caucus

More from Merriam-Webster on conference

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