convene

1 of 2

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 

convener

2 of 2

noun

con·​ven·​er kən-ˈvē-nər 

variants or convenor

kən-ˈvē-nər, 

-ˌnȯr

plural -s

chiefly British

: one that convenes

especially : the presiding officer of a committee or other organized body of persons

Synonyms of convene

Verb

• 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

Verb

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

Verb

Cruz acknowledged the awkwardness of convening a hearing on the topic of college sports while larger global crises erupt. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 June 2026

Television networks interrupted regular broadcasts to cover the news, and President Clinton convened a Rose Garden press conference to comment on it. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 June 2026

The Florida Legislature, which is controlled by a Republican supermajority, convened this week to decide whether to put the Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes resolution on the November ballot. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2026

Baltimore's ballot processing The Baltimore City Board of Elections convened its canvassing board Monday and is preparing to process replacement ballots as more arrive. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for convene

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

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