Convention

Definition

Convention refers to a formal meeting or assembly where individuals or groups gather to discuss common interests or issues. It can also describe established customs, rules, or practices that are widely accepted in society or a specific context.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /kənˈvɛnʃən/
• Respelling: kuhn-VEN-shuhn

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /kənˈvɛnʃən/
• Respelling: kuhn-VEN-shuhn

The pronunciation of "convention" is identical in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "convention" comes from the Latin word "conventio," which means "meeting" or "agreement." The term is derived from "convenire," meaning "to come together." It entered the English language in the late Middle Ages, primarily in legal and political contexts, before expanding to its modern-day meanings of both formal assemblies and customary practices.

Derivatives

• Conventional (adjective)
• Conventionally (adverb)
• Unconventional (adjective)
• Conventionality (noun)
• Re-convention (noun)

Synonyms

• Assembly
• Meeting
• Custom

Antonyms

• Unorthodoxy
• Innovation
• Originality

Usage

The term "convention" is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. In a formal sense, conventions are gatherings or assemblies of individuals who share similar interests or professional backgrounds, such as political conventions, trade conventions, or academic conferences. In a broader sense, "convention" also refers to social norms, behaviors, or practices that are generally accepted within a culture or community, such as language conventions or traditional practices.

Related Terms

• Conference: A formal meeting where experts discuss specific topics or issues.
• Protocol: The accepted or established code of procedure or behavior in a given context.
• Tradition: The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A formal meeting or assembly: Refers to a gathering of individuals with a shared purpose, often held to discuss specific topics or issues.
  • Example: "The annual trade convention attracts business leaders from across the country."
• A customary practice or rule: Refers to established norms or accepted ways of doing things, either socially or in a specific field.
  • Example: "In many cultures, it is a convention to greet people with a handshake."