convention

noun

con·​ven·​tion kən-ˈven(t)-shən 

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.

Synonyms of convention

• meeting
• gathering

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

Ash found success by attending revival-style sales conventions and memorizing every smile, wink, and maxim in the Stanley songbook. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, or C2E2 Chicago, returns to McCormick Place for its 2026 convention. —Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

In my experience, challenging conventions and presenting a more candid depiction of what troubles our fighting men and women — and their folks back home — brings you more credibility and appreciation than trying to spray perfume on the horrors of the battlefield. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026

This book concludes in 1956, just as Kennedy is set to come second on the Vice Presidential ballot at the convention. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing convention

• convention center
• counter-convention
• defy convention
• Geneva convention

Rhymes for convention

• attention
• contention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian
• prehension

Kids Definition

convention

noun

con·​ven·​tion kən-ˈven-chən 

1

: agreement sense 2a, covenant

an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons

2

: a meeting of persons for a common purpose

a constitutional convention

teachers' convention

3

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

the conventions of punctuation

Legal Definition

convention

noun

con·​ven·​tion

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