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convention

noun con·ven·tion \ kən-ˈven(t)-shən \
|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018
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

  1. We go to the weeklong annual teachers' convention every summer.

  2. He bought some new books at the science fiction convention.

  3. The Democratic National Convention will meet next week to announce their party's candidate for president.

  4. It's important to follow the conventions of punctuation in a paper for school.

  5. They say school is just as important for teaching children social codes and conventions as for teaching math.

  6. Many sports shows have recently adopted the conventions of the talk show.

  7. a poet who rebels against literary convention

  8. The award that by convention should have gone to the student with the highest grade went instead to the teacher's favorite.

  9. As a matter of convention, the oldest members speak first.

  10. The director's use of the usual romantic conventions made the film boring and predictable.

Recent Examples of convention from the Web

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

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

Phrases Related to CONVENTION

Related Phrases

CONVENTION Defined for English Language Learners

convention

noun

  • : 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 \
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
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

  1. 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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