convene

verb

con·​vene kən-ˈvēn How to pronounce convene (audio)
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
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

Example Sentences

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 Allow the emotional process to play out The task force convened in June 2021 under difficult circumstances. Dustin Gardiner, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 May 2023 Beginning November 6, the week will see global leaders, businesses and investors convene in Singapore to explore exciting opportunities with The Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists aimed at accelerating their solutions and bringing about tangible action to repair the planet. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 14 May 2023 Biden, McCarthy, McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met for a largely unproductive discussion on Tuesday, leaving the Oval Office with entrenched positions and a pledge to convene again at the end of the week. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 10 May 2023 Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is convening a meeting with regional leaders this week to discuss a flurry of planned or proposed increases in taxes, fees and utility rates bearing down on households and businesses. oregonlive, 9 May 2023 Montana’s state legislature convenes every two years, and Zephyr would have to be re-elected in 2024 before returning to the House floor in two years. USA TODAY, 3 May 2023 The Legislature quickly convened and voted to dissolve the Reedy Creek district. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 26 Apr. 2023 Amid an ever-evolving global economic backdrop and shifting investor sentiment, Forbes will convene the world’s most influential Titans of Investing for its second annual Iconoclast Summit, taking place in New York City on June 12, 2023. Forbes Corporate Communications, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 Bishops of the Episcopal Conference also participated as mediators for national dialogue, convening different social sectors with the government in an attempt to seek a peaceful solution to the political conflict. Florencia Trucco, CNN, 13 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of convene was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near convene

Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convene. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

convene

verb
con·​vene kən-ˈvēn How to pronounce convene (audio)
convened; convening
1
: to come together in a group : assemble
2
: to cause to convene : call together
convened a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on convene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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