conference

[ kon-fer-uhns, -fruhns ]

noun

1. a meeting for consultation or discussion:

   a conference between a student and his adviser.

   Synonyms: colloquium, parley

2. the act of conferring or consulting together; consultation, especially on an important or serious matter.
3. Government. a meeting, as of various committees, to settle disagreements between the two branches of the legislature.
4. an association of athletic teams; league:

   an intercollegiate conference.

5. Ecclesiastical.
   1. an official assembly of clergy or of clergy and laity, customary in many Christian denominations.
   2. a group of churches whose representatives regularly meet in such an assembly.

verb (used without object)

, con·fer·enced, con·fer·enc·ing.

1. to hold or participate in a conference or series of conferences.

conference

/ ˈkɒnfərəns; -frəns; ˌkɒnfəˈrɛnʃəl /

noun

1. a meeting for consultation, exchange of information, or discussion, esp one with a formal agenda
2. a formal meeting of two or more states, political groups, etc, esp to discuss differences or formulate common policy
3. an assembly of the clergy or of clergy and laity of any of certain Protestant Christian Churches acting as representatives of their denomination

   the Methodist conference

4. sport a league or division of clubs or teams
5. rare.
   an act of bestowal

Derived Forms

• conferential, adjective

Other Words From

• con·fer·en·tial [kon-f, uh, -, ren, -sh, uh, l], adjective
• pre·confer·ence noun
• sub·confer·ence noun
• subcon·fer·ential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conference¹

From the Medieval Latin word conferentia, dating back to 1530–40. See confer, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of conference¹

C16: from Medieval Latin conferentia, from Latin conferre to bring together; see confer

Synonym Study

See convention.

Example Sentences

More than 20 other relatives have appeared in press conferences supporting efforts for the brothers to be released.

From Los Angeles Times

When he arrived for his news conference to look ahead to Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Dutch side Feyenoord, Guardiola was a bit out of breath.

From BBC

According to reports on Monday, the chancellor will use an opportunity at the conference to respond to criticism of Labour's first Budget in 14 years.

From BBC

Many of the rich country voices at the UN's climate conference were amazed that developing nations were unhappy with what on the surface seems a huge settlement.

From BBC

Pursuit of cash has obliterated traditional conferences like the Pac-10.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consultation
• discussion
• forum
• interview
• meeting
• seminar
• symposium
• talk