forum

noun

fo·​rum ˈfȯr-əm 

plural forums also fora ˈfȯr-ə 

1

a

: the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the center of judicial and public business

b

: a public meeting place for open discussion

The club provides a forum for people interested in local history.

c

: a medium (such as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas

2

: a judicial body or assembly : court

3

a

: a public meeting or lecture involving audience discussion

The town has scheduled a public forum to discuss the proposal.

b

: a program (as on radio or television) involving discussion of a problem usually by several authorities

Synonyms of forum

• symposium
• seminar
• conference
• panel

Examples of forum in a Sentence

Forums were held to determine how to handle the situation.

The town has scheduled a public forum to discuss the proposal.

The club provides a forum for people who share an interest in local history.

Recent Examples on the Web

The message board is like a mini forum where people can create threads and comment on them. — Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026

Journalists watch Warsh speak during a panel on Wednesday, the last day of the forum. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 1 July 2026

However, some online forums describe high-pressure sales tactics from company representatives when receiving quotes. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 July 2026

During the 10 days, Hahn answered questions during a community forum and had a series of meetings with groups, including faculty leadership, donors and the board, according to a copy of his schedule. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin; akin to Latin foris outside, fores door — more at door

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for forum

• aurum
• foram
• quorum
• decorum
• picloram
• pullorum
• digitorum
• variorum
• neonatorum

Kids Definition

forum

noun

fo·​rum ˈfōr-əm 

ˈfȯr-

plural forums also fora -ə 

1

: the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city serving as the center of public business

2

: a means (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas

3

: a meeting or program involving discussion

Legal Definition

forum

noun

fo·​rum ˈfō-rəm 

1

: public forum

2

a

: a judicial body or assembly : court

allowed the defendant in a state court action to choose the federal forum by removing the case

—M. H. Redish

b

: the territorial jurisdiction of a court

due process requires defendant to have minimum level of contacts with forum before personal jurisdiction may be exercised

—National Law Journal