Convention - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

A convention is a formal meeting or assembly of people with shared interests or professions. It's like a large-scale meetup, usually spanning several days and involving presentations, workshops, and networking. Think of Comic-Con or a teachers' conference. It's more structured than a simple gathering; there's an organized program and often keynote speakers. It's also understood to mean "the way things are usually done."

Etymology

The word 'convention' comes from the Latin 'conventio,' meaning 'a coming together, an agreement.' It's related to the verb 'convenire,' 'to come together, agree.' The term initially denoted an agreement or contract. The meaning then broadened to include the assembly where such agreements were made, and then even the typical way of doing something (i.e. social convention).

Related Words

Examples

• "The annual comic book convention draws fans from around the world."
• "The teachers attended a convention on new educational technologies."
• "It is a social convention to say 'thank you.'"
• "The political party held its national convention to nominate their candidate."

Encouragement

Next time you're describing a large, organized meeting, use 'convention' to show you know your vocabulary! It's a sophisticated word that adds precision to your speech. Boost your communication skills! 🚀

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