convene

1 of 2

verb

con·​vene kən-ˈvēn 

convened; convening

intransitive verb

: to come together in a body

We convened at the hotel for a seminar.

transitive verb

1

: to summon before a tribunal

2

: to cause to assemble

A world council was convened in Paris.

convener noun

or convenor

kən-ˈvē-nər 

convener

2 of 2

noun

con·​ven·​er kən-ˈvē-nər 

variants or convenor

kən-ˈvē-nər, 

-ˌnȯr

plural -s

chiefly British

: one that convenes

especially : the presiding officer of a committee or other organized body of persons

Synonyms of convene

Verb

• summon
• muster
• call

Choose the Right Synonym for convene

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of.

summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

Examples of convene in a Sentence

Verb

We convened at the hotel for a seminar.

This class convenes twice a week.

A panel of investigators was convened by the president to review the case.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On stage, Semafor will convene leaders from across these sectors to explore practical strategies for strengthening resilience, supporting families and educators, improving digital literacy, and expanding access to mental health resources. — Semafor Events, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Mapping out time took further root in October 1884 during the International Meridian Conference held in Washington, DC, which convened 25 different nations to create a global standard for keeping track of time. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

From the end of August through mid-September, the world’s greatest tennis players will convene in Queens, New York, to compete in the Grand Slam tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026

The special session did convene, but Republican leaders opted not to take up redistricting. — CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Medieval Latin convenire, from Latin, to assemble — more at convenient

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for convene

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine

Kids Definition

convene

verb

con·​vene kən-ˈvēn 

convened; convening

1

: to come together in a group : assemble

2

: to cause to convene : call together

convened a meeting