Convention
/kənˈvɛnʃən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA large meeting or conference, typically one held by a group of people with a shared interest.
/kənˈvɛnʃən/
A formal meeting or assembly.
The annual science fiction convention attracts thousands of fans.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big party, but instead of just fun, everyone's there to talk about serious stuff, like deciding who runs a country or sharing the latest cool inventions. That's a convention!
👶 For kids: A convention is like a big meeting where lots of people who like the same things get together.
More Examples
Delegates from all over the country attended the international climate change convention.
The company held a sales convention to launch its new product line.
How It's Used
"The Democratic National Convention is held every four years to nominate the party's presidential candidate."
"Thousands of tech professionals attend the annual technology convention in Las Vegas."
A way in which something is usually done, especially in a particular context.
/kənˈvɛnʃən/
A widely accepted custom or practice.
It is a social convention to dress formally for a wedding.
💡 Simply: It's like a rule that everyone follows because it's what people always do, like saying 'please' and 'thank you'. It's how things are normally done.
👶 For kids: A convention is something that most people do because it's the normal way.
More Examples
The author used the narrative convention of a flashback to reveal the character's past.
Using "Mr." or "Ms." before a person's name is a common convention of politeness.
How It's Used
"It's a convention to shake hands when you meet someone."
"The use of symbolism is a common literary convention."
A formal agreement, especially between countries, on matters of mutual concern.
/kənˈvɛnʃən/
A formal agreement between states or peoples.
The Geneva Convention provides rules for the treatment of prisoners of war.
💡 Simply: It's like when countries or groups of people make a deal with each other about important things, like how to treat prisoners during a war or how to share resources.
👶 For kids: A convention can be a special agreement that countries or groups make about important rules.
More Examples
The international convention on climate change aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The signing of the convention marked a significant step towards peace.
How It's Used
"The Geneva Convention sets standards of humanitarian treatment in war."
"The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties governs international agreements."
Idioms & expressions
by convention
According to established practices or customs.
"By convention, the bride wears white at a wedding."
the conventions of...
Referring to the established practices within a specific field or context.
"The conventions of classic literature."
From Latin *conventio* (“assembly, meeting”), from *convenire* (“to come together”), from *con-* (“with, together”) + *venire* (“to come”). It originally referred to gatherings, but broadened to encompass established customs and practices.
The word 'convention' has been used since the late 14th century, initially referring to a meeting or assembly. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass established customs and formal agreements.
Memory tip
Think of a 'convene' and gather for a meeting on a grand scale.
Word Origin
"to come together"