convention

noun con·ven·tion \ kən-ˈven(t)-shən \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: convention in a Sentence

Definition of convention

1 a : agreement, contract

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

2 a : 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

3 a : 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.

See convention defined for English-language learners

See convention defined for kids

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 of convention from the Web

Routes expecting the most traffic include Southeast 17th Street, Interstate 595, I-95, State Road 84, U.S. 1 and streets surrounding the convention center.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Supercon to cause super traffic congestion, city officials warn," 13 July 2018
Construction around the convention center has included new hotels and a DePaul University basketball arena.

— ryan ori, chicagotribune.com, "Almost 900 homes planned for former Harold Ickes site," 10 July 2018
Because of catastrophic flooding in the region, Connelly's elder sister Kara Flores, couldn't leave her home in The Woodlands to search the convention center until Thursday, Aug. 31.

— ted dunnam, Houston Chronicle, "Boys’ basketball: Koonsen leaves Angleton for Pearland post," 8 July 2018
For three days beginning July 24, Bean will sponsor an outdoor workspace at Monona Terrace near the shore of the convention center’s namesake lake.

— rick romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "L.L. Bean will bring freedom for the desk-bound to Madison with outdoor workspace," 6 July 2018
According to the Associated Press, the 2017 festival drew more than 470,000 to its nightly concert series inside the Superdome and free workshops and entertainment at New Orleans’ convention center.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Trump hosts Montana rally, Ronda Rousey makes history: 5 things you need to know Thursday," 5 July 2018
Officials say there are sometimes as many as 25 of them parked in front of the convention center.

— megan henry, Indianapolis Star, "Hundreds of electric scooters invade downtown Indianapolis; some rejoice, others scratch their heads," 1 July 2018
The northern end of the High Line is right across the street from the Jacob Javits convention center on 34th Street, near the Lincoln Tunnel.

— scott mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, "Surprises await when you explore the green spaces of New York City," 30 June 2018
Obama’s warmth and humor filled the cavernous convention center ballroom.

— vanessa hua, SFChronicle.com, "Michelle Obama and the power of stories," 27 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of convention

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin convention-, conventio, from convenire — see convenient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

convention Synonyms

Synonyms

assembly, congress, convocation, council, gathering, get-together, huddle, meeting, powwow;

Related Words

clinic, workshop;

caucus, conclave, synod;

demonstration, rally;

conversation, dialogue (also dialog), discourse, discussion, palaver, talk;

negotiation, parley, summit;

conference, forum, roundtable, seminar, symposium;

audience, interview, session;

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

CONVENTION Defined for English Language Learners

convention

noun

Definition of convention for English Language Learners

: 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

CONVENTION Defined for Kids

convention

noun con·ven·tion \ kən-ˈven-chən \

Definition of convention for Students

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 3

a convention among nations

Law Dictionary

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