convention

UK: /kənˈvɛnʃ^ən/ US: /kənˈvɛnʃən/ ,(kən ven′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•ven•tion /kənˈvɛnʃən/   n. 

1. a formal meeting to discuss matters of concern:
   [countable] a convention of lawyers.
2. Government an assembly of delegates of a political party to nominate candidates and adopt party rules and decisions:
   [countable] the Democratic convention.
3. a practice established by usage;
   custom:
   [countable] It is a mapmaker's convention to show north at the top of a map.
4. general agreement;
   accepted usage, esp. of procedure:
   [uncountable] The youth of the sixties were fighting against convention.

See -ven-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•ven•tion  (kən ven′shən), n. 

1. a meeting or formal assembly, as of representatives or delegates, for discussion of and action on particular matters of common concern.
2. Government [U.S. Politics.] a representative party assembly to nominate candidates and adopt platforms and party rules.
3. Law an agreement, compact, or contract.
4. Government, Law an international agreement, esp. one dealing with a specific matter, as postal service or copyright.
5. a rule, method, or practice established by usage;
   custom:
   the convention of showing north at the top of a map.
6. general agreement or consent;
   accepted usage, esp. as a standard of procedure.
7. conventionalism.
8. Games [Bridge.] any of a variety of established systems or methods of bidding or playing that allows partners to convey certain information about their hands.

• Latin conventiōn- (stem of conventiō) agreement, literally, a coming together. See convene, -tion
• Middle French)
• late Middle English convencio(u)n (1375–1425

Synonyms

• 1. 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.
• 3. pact, treaty.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

convention / kənˈvɛnʃən/ noun

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
3. an assembly of delegates of one party to select candidates for office
4. an international agreement second only to a treaty in formality: a telecommunications convention
5. any agreement, compact, or contract
6. the most widely accepted or established view of what is thought to be proper behaviour, good taste, etc
7. an accepted rule, usage, etc: a convention used by printers
8. Also called: conventional a bid or play not to be taken at its face value, which one's partner can interpret according to a prearranged bidding system

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin conventiō an assembling, agreeing