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

• assemble
• call
• convoke
• muster
• summon

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 shooting comes less than two days before Republicans convene in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, during which Trump will be formally nominated as the party's nominee. —Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 14 July 2024

The Task Force convened at the center in Live Oak to learn about the science behind Florida’s strategy to manage nutrient pollution from agriculture, the state’s second-largest industry. —Natalie Van Hoose, Miami Herald, 13 July 2024

In a compelling Sunday morning panel during ESSENCE Fest 2024, industry leaders convened to address the pressing issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and beyond. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 July 2024

The defendants, led by the Nazi's second most powerful man, Hermann Göring, mocked the court that ultimately convened in Nuremberg as merely a forum for victor's justice. —David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024

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

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