Definition of convention
1a : agreement, contractb : an agreement between states for regulation of matters affecting all of them an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weaponsc : a compact between opposing commanders especially concerning prisoner exchange or armisticed : 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 assemblyb : 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 officec : the usually state or national organization of a religious denomination
3a : usage or custom especially in social matters conventions of societyb : a rule of conduct or behaviorc : 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.
From the M-W Editors
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
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This allows the thousands of attendees to connect right inside the convention center after all the keynotes and panel discussions are completed.
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Events director Brien McDonald says that the convention will address issues within and beyond book publishing.
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Horowitz has made a career of playing with conventions of classic mystery and adventure fiction.
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When the Democrats held their 1896 convention, Americans were bitterly divided over money.
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Eight months before Election Day, Donald J. Trump was about a half-hour into his stump speech at a convention center in Louisville, Ky., when several protesters interrupted his rally.
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Both parties were expected to narrow their candidate fields at separate conventions on June 17 before a Nov. 7 special election.
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Embarcadero Marina Park South (behind the convention center, downtown).
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Do a little research and find the convention that speaks to you.
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
First Known Use: 15th century
CONVENTION Defined for English Language Learners
convention
playDefinition of convention for English Language Learners
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: 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
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: a custom or a way of acting or doing things that is widely accepted and followed
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: a traditional or common style often used in literature, theater, or art to create a particular effect
CONVENTION Defined for Kids
convention
playDefinition 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
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
Learn More about convention
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See words that rhyme with convention Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for convention Spanish Central: Translation of convention Nglish: Translation of convention for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of convention for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about convention
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