symposium

sym·po·sium

noun \sim-ˈpō-zē-əm also -zh(ē-)əm\

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

Definition of SYMPOSIUM

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

Examples of SYMPOSIUM

1. Professors and graduate students attended the symposium.
2. <recently attended a daylong symposium on new methods of chromatography>

Origin of SYMPOSIUM

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

First Known Use: 1711

Related to SYMPOSIUM

Synonyms: colloquy, conference, council, panel, panel discussion, parley, powwow, round-robin, roundtable, seminar, forum

Related Words: colloquium; caucus, town meeting; assembly, conclave, congregation, congress, consistory, convention, convocation, synod; debate, deliberation; brainstorming; chat room, newsgroup

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