convention

noun

con·ven·tion | \ kən-ˈven(t)-shən

Definition of convention

b : an agreement between states for regulation of matters affecting all of them an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons

c : a compact between opposing commanders especially concerning prisoner exchange or armistice

d : a general agreement about basic principles or procedures also : a principle or procedure accepted as true or correct by convention the conventions of grammar

2a : the summoning or convening of an assembly

b : an assembly of persons met for a common purpose a comic book convention especially : a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office

c : the usually state or national organization of a religious denomination

3a : usage or custom especially in social matters conventions of society

b : a rule of conduct or behavior

c : a practice in bidding or playing that conveys information between partners in a card game (such as bridge)

d : an established technique, practice, or device (as in the theater) The usual romantic conventions made the film predictable.

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Examples of convention in a Sentence

We go to the weeklong annual teachers' convention every summer. He bought some new books at the science fiction convention. The Democratic National Convention will meet next week to announce their party's candidate for president. It's important to follow the conventions of punctuation in a paper for school. They say school is just as important for teaching children social codes and conventions as for teaching math. Many sports shows have recently adopted the conventions of the talk show. a poet who rebels against literary convention The award that by convention should have gone to the student with the highest grade went instead to the teacher's favorite. As a matter of convention, the oldest members speak first. The director's use of the usual romantic conventions made the film boring and predictable.

Recent Examples on the Web

The primary foes have had seven weeks to ferment since the state Democratic convention, where the Greenwich telecommunications magnate Lamont overwhelmingly clinched the party’s endorsement. — Neil Vigdor, courant.com, "Ned Lamont And Joe Ganim On A Collision Course Toward First Head-To-Head Debate," 11 July 2018 Deep into the summer, well after the conventions, the most important race on the November ballot remains an afterthought. — Adrian Walker, BostonGlobe.com, "The Democrats running for governor must be wondering when the cavalry arrives," 11 July 2018 This refrain was repeated, in conventions, in the black press and in pamphlets. — Martha S. Jones, Time, "How the 14th Amendment's Promise of Birthright Citizenship Redefined America," 9 July 2018 In the past, superdelegates were able to vote on the first ballot at the convention, for any nominee. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "A defining debate for Florida politics," 28 June 2018 Allen McKellar at a Shriners convention, New York City, August 1951. — James R. Hagerty, WSJ, "Allen McKellar Wrote a Hopeful Essay in Hard Times and Launched a Career at Pepsi," 22 June 2018 The approach of this enigmatic first lady, who has stuck to a resolutely low profile and opted to ignore some of the conventions of her predecessors, is likely to continue. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "'Missing' Melania Trump returns to FLOTUS duty at White House," 4 June 2018 Ambridge Event Center rented out a large space at 1333 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the public for conventions, weddings and other parties, according to the lawsuit. — Melinda Morris, NOLA.com, "Louisiana gas prices on Memorial Day among lowest in the land," 28 May 2018 Ambridge Event Center rented out a large space at 1333 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the public for conventions, weddings and other parties, according to the lawsuit. — Aimee Green, OregonLive.com, "Business says its reputation tanked after shunning LGBTQ group, sues for $2.3m," 26 May 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near convention

Phrases Related to convention

convention center

defy convention

the Geneva Convention

Statistics for convention

Last Updated

6 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for convention

The first known use of convention was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for convention

convention

noun

English Language Learners Definition of convention

: a large meeting of people who come to a place for usually several days to talk about their shared work or other interests or to make decisions as a group

: a custom or a way of acting or doing things that is widely accepted and followed

: a traditional or common style often used in literature, theater, or art to create a particular effect

See the full definition for convention in the English Language Learners Dictionary

convention

noun

con·ven·tion | \ kən-ˈven-chən

Kids Definition of convention

1 : a meeting of people for a common purpose a teachers' convention

2 : a custom or a way of acting and doing things that is widely accepted and followed Follow the conventions of punctuation in your writing.

3 : agreement sense 3 a convention among nations

convention

noun

con·ven·tion

Legal Definition of convention

1 : an agreement between nations for regulation of matters affecting all of them

2 : an agreement enforceable in law : contract

3 : an assembly of persons met for a common purpose especially : a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office