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 Charter Review Committee has historically convened to seek resident input and give recommendations on which proposed amendments to the city’s charter — the document that governs the city — should be put in front of voters. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

This week, just outside of downtown Dallas, CFP leaders are convening again before conferences hold their annual spring meetings. —Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026

In doing so, Aron undercut O’Leary, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed in Vegas or among the other members of Cinema United, which convened an emergency meeting after AMC gave its blessing to the pact. —Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026

Europe convened more than 60 nations in Brussels for Palestinian peace talks, attempting to expand its Middle East diplomatic role after years of remaining on the sidelines despite being the Palestinians’ largest aid provider. —Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

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