convention

[ kuhn-ven-shuhn ]

noun

1. a large formal meeting or assembly, as of members, representatives, or delegates, for discussion of and action on particular matters of common concern:

   In 1932 he was elected president of the Missouri State Medical Association at its annual convention.

2. a large meeting of people with a common interest, as in a particular recreational activity:

   The site is a fan's resource for finding upcoming comic, gaming, and sci-fi conventions throughout the world.

3. U.S. Politics. a representative party assembly to nominate candidates and adopt platforms and party rules.
4. a rule, method, or practice established by usage; custom:

   In Social Studies, the second graders learned the convention of showing north at the top of a map.

5. general agreement or consent; accepted usage, especially as a standard of procedure:

   Certain uses of the comma have become established by convention.

6. accepted practice that has become removed from naturally occurring behavior; conventionalism:

   As young, second-career farmers, they're not bound by convention, and their land isn't a traditional farm.

7. a standard or customary device, structure, premise, style, etc., used in literature, music, or the arts:

   Big eyes and small mouths are among the most noticeable artistic conventions of anime.

   Le Guin’s novelette turned science fiction conventions on their head by making humans the invaders.

8. an agreement, compact, or contract, such as an international agreement dealing with postal service or copyright.

   Synonyms: treaty, pact

9. Bridge. any of a variety of established systems or methods of bidding or playing that allows partners to convey certain information about their hands.

convention

/ kənˈvɛnʃən /

noun

1. 1. a large formal assembly of a group with common interests, such as a political party or trade union
   2. the persons attending such an assembly
2. politics an assembly of delegates of one party to select candidates for office
3. diplomacy an international agreement second only to a treaty in formality

   a telecommunications convention

4. any agreement, compact, or contract
5. the most widely accepted or established view of what is thought to be proper behaviour, good taste, etc
6. an accepted rule, usage, etc

   a convention used by printers

7. Also calledconventional bridge a bid or play not to be taken at its face value, which one's partner can interpret according to a prearranged bidding system

Other Words From

• an·ti·con·ven·tion adjective
• coun·ter·con·ven·tion noun
• post·con·ven·tion adjective
• pre·con·ven·tion noun
• pro·con·ven·tion adjective
• un·con·ven·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of convention¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English convencio(u)n “formal meeting,” from Middle French convencion “meeting, agreement, covenant,” and Latin conventiōn- (stem of conventiō ) “assembly, agreement,” literally, “a coming together”; convene, -tion

Word History and Origins

Origin of convention¹

C15: from Latin conventiō an assembling, agreeing

Synonym Study

Convention, assembly, conference, convocation name meetings for particular purposes. Convention usually suggests a meeting of delegates representing political, church, social, or fraternal organizations. Assembly usually implies a meeting for a settled or customary purpose, as for discussion, legislation, or participation in a social function. Conference suggests a meeting for consultation and discussion about business or professional problems. Convocation denotes a (church) assembly, the members of which have been summoned for a special purpose; chapel services at some colleges are called convocations.

Example Sentences

In 2016, Hillary Clinton, while accepting the nomination in Philadelphia, told the Democratic convention that if you had supported the party of Reagan, you were with the Democrats.

From Salon

There wasn’t even a convention fight because other Democratic wannabes didn’t have the stomach to contest her.

From Los Angeles Times

There is instinctive political unease here with his behaviour, his attitude to the law, convention, and the truth.

From BBC

His old boss, who appeared reluctant to endorse Harris before the convention, disagreed without mentioning the vice president by name.

From Salon

In July, she gave a speech at the convention and spoke warmly of her father-in-law.

From BBC

Related Words

• code
• law
• rule