convention

noun

con·​ven·​tion kən-ˈven(t)-shən How to pronounce convention (audio)
1
b
: an agreement between states for regulation of matters affecting all of them
an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons
c
: a compact between opposing commanders especially concerning prisoner exchange or armistice
d
: a general agreement about basic principles or procedures
also : a principle or procedure accepted as true or correct by convention
the conventions of grammar
2
a
: the summoning or convening of an assembly
b
: an assembly of persons met for a common purpose
a comic book convention
especially : a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office
c
: the usually state or national organization of a religious denomination
3
a
: usage or custom especially in social matters
conventions of society
b
: a rule of conduct or behavior
c
: a practice in bidding or playing that conveys information between partners in a card game (such as bridge)
d
: an established technique, practice, or device (as in the theater)
The usual romantic conventions made the film predictable.

Examples of convention in a Sentence

We go to the weeklong annual teachers' convention every summer. He bought some new books at the science fiction convention. The Democratic National Convention will meet next week to announce their party's candidate for president. It's important to follow the conventions of punctuation in a paper for school. They say school is just as important for teaching children social codes and conventions as for teaching math. Many sports shows have recently adopted the conventions of the talk show. a poet who rebels against literary convention The award that by convention should have gone to the student with the highest grade went instead to the teacher's favorite. As a matter of convention, the oldest members speak first. The director's use of the usual romantic conventions made the film boring and predictable.
Recent Examples on the Web Speaking to what will be his largest television audience until the party convention in August, Biden has a prime opportunity at the State of the Union to set the stage for the next eight months of the campaign, fleshing out contrasts with Trump that haven't crystallized among voters. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Karamo closed the building as a cost-cutting measure after she was elected at a state party convention in February 2023. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Delegates are selected to represent their state or area at the nominating convention, and each party's delegates choose their respective presidential nominees during the gatherings slated for the summer. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 Super Tuesday voters from across the country headed to the polls Tuesday, as the two candidates hope to secure enough delegate votes to win their party nominations at their national conventions. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2024 Several franchise operators who attended the convention told Restaurant Business that Chidsey even advised franchise owners who had already remodeled their stores to put pressure on their peers to do the same. Angela L. Pagán, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Republicans will gather in July in Milwaukee for their convention to officially nominate the GOP candidate for the general election, and Democrats will gather in Chicago in August to select their candidate. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 The left side of the road was, by long cultural convention, reserved for carriages and those on horseback. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 This has created a lot of confusion as the party prepares to hold a first-of-its-kind caucus in Michigan during the state convention. Ashley Lopez, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin convention-, conventio, from convenire — see convenient

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of convention was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near convention

Cite this Entry

“Convention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convention. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

convention

noun
con·​ven·​tion kən-ˈven-chən How to pronounce convention (audio)
1
: agreement sense 2a, covenant
an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons
2
: a meeting of persons for a common purpose
a constitutional convention
teachers' convention
3
: a custom or a way of acting or doing things that is widely accepted and followed
the conventions of punctuation

Legal Definition

convention

noun
con·​ven·​tion
1
: an agreement between nations for regulation of matters affecting all of them
2
: an agreement enforceable in law : contract
3
: an assembly of persons met for a common purpose
especially : a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office

More from Merriam-Webster on convention

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