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 ideas2 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