convention

noun

con·ven·tion | \ kən-ˈven(t)-shən

Definition of convention

1a : 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

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 Cuyahoga County already has an existing debt level of $1.26 billion, which is largely tied to past construction projects like the convention and Global centers. — Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 19 July 2021 Rob Carey, a senior editor for MeetingsNet, which reports on the meeting, convention, and trade-show planning industry, covered the show and even kicked a 32-yard field goal during hospitality day at Allegiant Stadium. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 23 June 2021 Maple Grove gave its notice last year, and plans to create its own convention and visitors bureau, said Maple Grove City Administrator Heidi Nelson. — Tim Harlow, Star Tribune, 7 June 2021 Africatown USA Park, including additional museum space, a performance center, and a spa hotel and convention center. — al, 4 June 2021 Irving has a busy calendar this weekend, with a big book sale, spicy food convention and the season opening of The Lakehouse Waterfront Lounge at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel. — Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 4 June 2021 Yet the pleasures of genre convention and reinvention somehow never made it into the picture. — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2021 Cepero will oversee an annual budget of $5.4 billion and 6,000 workers, as well as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades and the convention and visitors bureau. — Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 4 May 2021 The deposition reveals, for the first time, the name of a makeup artist, Brady Wardlaw, who was hired in May and September of 2016, for an N.R.A. convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and a retreat in McLean, Virginia. — Mike Spies, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2021

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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Last Updated

22 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Convention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convention. Accessed 24 Jul. 2021.

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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