conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

-fərn(t)s

for sense 2 usually

kən-ˈfər-ən(t)s 

1

a

: a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern

The president is in conference with a group of advisers.

b

: a usually formal interchange of views : consultation

a conference on climate change

c

: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences

d

: caucus

2

or less commonly conferrence

kən-ˈfər-ən(t)s 

: bestowal, conferment

the conference of academic degrees

3

a

: a representative assembly or administrative organization of a religious denomination

b

: a territorial division of a religious denomination

4

: an association of athletic teams

a football conference

conferential

ˌkän-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 

adjective

Synonyms of conference

• assembly
• meeting
• assemblage
• gathering
• symposium

Examples of conference in a Sentence

The organization held its annual conference in New York this year.

national conferences on women's health

a conference of foreign ministers

Our boss called a conference to discuss the new changes.

He spent an hour in conference with the president.

the champions of the American Football Conference

Recent Examples on the Web

The Blackhawks kept pace in the conference standings with Riverside-Brookfield and Glenbard East, with all three teams trailing league leader South Elgin by one game. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

His role as an agent provides him with real-time insight into the revenue-sharing strategies of Washington’s conference foes, just as his role as a UW staffer similarly affords access that could, even indirectly, advantage his agency’s clients. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Expanding the playoff to 16 teams, for example, would allow for more playoff spots and take some of the disadvantages of tough schedules away from those conferences. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026

The sudden departure comes just a day after Phelan addressed a large crowd of sailors and industry professionals at the Navy’s annual conference in Washington, and spoke with reporters about his agenda. —Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French and Medieval Latin; Middle French conference, borrowed from Medieval Latin conferentia "contribution, discussion," noun derivative from conferent-, conferens, present participle of conferre "to bring or take, convey, bring together" — more at confer

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing conference

• conference call
• news conference
• press conference

Kids Definition

conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

-fərn(t)s

1

: a meeting for discussion or exchange of opinions

also : the discussion itself

2

: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to settle differences

3

: an association of athletic teams

a football conference

Legal Definition

conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-frəns, -fə-rəns 

1

: a meeting for consultation, deliberation, discussion, or interchange of opinions

a conference on environmental law

see also judicial conference, pretrial conference

2

: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature especially to adjust differences in the provisions of a bill passed in different forms by the two branches

also : conference committee

3

: caucus