Main Entry: sym·po·sium

Pronunciation: \sim-ˈpō-zē-əm also -zh(ē-)əm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural sym·po·sia \-zē-ə, -zh(ē-)ə\ or sym·po·siums

Etymology: Latin, from Greek symposion, from sympinein to drink together, from syn- + pinein to drink — more at potable

Date: 1711

1 a : a convivial party (as after a banquet in ancient Greece) with music and conversation b : a social gathering at which there is free interchange of ideas
2 a : a formal meeting at which several specialists deliver short addresses on a topic or on related topics — compare colloquium b : a collection of opinions on a subject; especially : one published by a periodical c : discussion