convention

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

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

Loretta Jones, and her sons, 12-year-old John and Thomas, age 8, rode in a military vehicle and then in the back of a U-Haul truck to evacuate to Houston’s convention center after floodwaters reached their home.

— Washington Post, "Texas schools shuttered by Harvey could stay that way awhile," 30 Aug. 2017
Loretta Jones, and her sons, 12-year-old John and Thomas, age 8, rode in a military vehicle and then in the back of a U-Haul truck to evacuate to Houston’s convention center after flood waters reached their home.

— will weissert, The Seattle Times, "Texas schools shuttered by Harvey could stay that way awhile," 29 Aug. 2017
Committed to inspiring and championing modern Latino storytellers, El Rey Studios gives voice to creators with bold and imaginative visions that defy convention.

— posted jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Joey Ryan, feud of sons on Lucha Underground on El Rey Network," 29 Aug. 2017
Sufficiently intrigued, Wilson sought Allen at that winter’s coaching convention to gauge his interest.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Wherever Tom Allen goes, improvement follows — here's why," 28 Aug. 2017
A convention center repurposed as an emergency shelter.

— shaila dewan and john schwartz, New York Times, "How Does Hurricane Harvey Compare With Katrina? Here’s What We Know," 28 Aug. 2017
Natural winemakers buck conventions and break regional rules.

— belle cushing, Bon Appetit, "So, What Exactly Is Natural Wine?," 28 Aug. 2017
It will be paid by the out-of-town visitors who use and benefit from our hotels and convention center.

— brent cooper, Cincinnati.com, "Column: Hotel tax was correct move by NKY leaders," 13 Aug. 2017
Christopher went against years of convention and bought into the powerful weiner-industry lobby’s hype and decided that a hot dog is not, in fact, a sandwich.

— joseph gerth, The Courier-Journal, "The Courier-Journal made a mistake, and it's time to be frank about it | Joseph Gerth," 19 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

convention Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

clinic, workshop; cabinet, caucus, conclave, synod; demonstration, rally; confab, conversation, dialogue (also dialog), discourse, discussion, palaver, talk; negotiation, parley, summit; conference, forum, round-robin, 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