convene

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 

Synonyms of convene

• 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

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

The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is convening, and the topic is expected to be about the state’s STAR bonds and an effort to build a stadium for the Chiefs, the Star’s Kacen Bayless and Sam McDowell reported. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025

Amid these unprecedented shifts, Korean creatives are convening to strategize around protecting the value of their work and retain control over their IP. —Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025

In Australia, the spike in hate directed at Jews has been so alarming that, just a week before the shooting, a group of Jewish leaders representing the United States, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Argentina and Australia convened in Australia. —Michael Collins, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for convene

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

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