convene

verb con·vene \ kən-ˈvēn \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of convene

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

or convenor play \kən-ˈvē-nər\ noun

See convene defined for English-language learners

See convene defined for kids

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 of convene from the Web

On a brisk, sunny April day, near the sparkling James River, historians were excavating beneath the 1907-built, brick Memorial Church, searching for remnants of the church where Virginia's first General Assembly convened in 1619.

— laura johnston, cleveland.com, "Archaeology is changing history at Jamestown, first permanent English settlement in North America," 18 Apr. 2018
But Scalise hasn’t ruled out seeking the job if McCarthy fails to nail down the votes needed to elect a speaker when the new Congress convenes in January.

— amy lieu, Fox News, "McCarthy emerges as a front-runner to succeed Ryan as House speaker," 16 Apr. 2018
Nearly six months later, when the players convened for the start of training camp, Popovich unleashed his pent-up anger.

— ron kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, "Warriors-Spurs series brings another lively round of Kerr vs. Popovich," 13 Apr. 2018
The Met Ball, of course, is the fashion world equivalent of the Oscars, an evening when designers, models, and Hollywood stars convene in the year’s most over-the-top looks.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Everything You Need to Know About the Met Gala, According to André Leon Talley," 10 Apr. 2018
Frost recalled how when the Texas Bankers Association would convene in San Antonio, some 200 to 300 members strong (not counting the spouses who came along), there were no hotels that could host the banquet.

— jennifer hiller, San Antonio Express-News, "What started at HemisFair changed the city and its economy," 1 Apr. 2018
So, Zoey ends up picking each of them up throughout the dorm until they’re all convened in a campus lounge.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Grown-ish Season 1 Finale Recap: "Back & Forth"," 29 Mar. 2018
The conference committee did not formally convene in open session Wednesday.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Mystery tax reform and a pension bill still in play as budget talks continue," 28 Mar. 2018
Diplomats convened in Vienna Friday to review the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which restricts the Persian Gulf nation’s nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief.

— Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Says It Can Work Within Nuclear Deal to Change Iran," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of convene

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

convene Synonyms

Phrases

get together;

Synonym Discussion of 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

CONVENE Defined for English Language Learners

convene

verb

Definition of convene for English Language Learners

: to come together in a group for a meeting

CONVENE Defined for Kids

convene

verb con·vene \ kən-ˈvēn \

Definition of convene for Students

convened; convening

: to come or bring together as an assembly

The legislature convened on Tuesday.

The teacher convened the class.

Word Root of convene

The Latin word venīre, meaning “to come,” and its form ventus give us the roots ven and vent. Words from the Latin venīre have something to do with coming. To invent is to come up with a new idea or device that no one has thought of before. To convene is to come together for a purpose. An event is an occasion when many people come together.