# conference

/ˈkɑnfɝəns/ (US) · /kˈɒnfɹəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conference
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. formal meeting

noun · CEFR A2

a large, formal meeting where people with the same interests or jobs meet to talk about their work.

For teachers: a formal meeting for consultation or discussion, typically involving a series of presentations or workshops on a specific theme.

- She is attending a medical conference in London next week to learn about new treatments.
- The annual technology conference serves as a vital platform for industry leaders to showcase emerging innovations and network with potential investors.

### 2. serious discussion

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a private or serious talk between two or more people.

For teachers: the act of consulting together formally; a serious conversation or interchange of views between parties.

- The doctor is in conference with a patient and cannot be disturbed right now.
- After a brief conference with his legal advisors, the CEO decided to issue a formal statement regarding the merger.

### 3. sports league

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a group of sports teams that play against each other regularly.

For teachers: an association of sports teams or clubs that compete against one another within a specific geographical or competitive division.

- Their team is currently at the top of the Western Conference standings.
- The university's move to a more competitive conference resulted in increased television revenue but significantly higher travel costs for the athletic department.

### 4. religious meeting

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a meeting of church leaders to discuss religious matters.

For teachers: a stated meeting of clergy and lay members invested with authority to manage ecclesiastical affairs.

- The bishops gathered for a conference to discuss changes to the liturgy.
- The regional Methodist conference voted on several resolutions concerning community outreach and the allocation of missionary funds.

### 5. to evaluate a student

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to talk one-on-one with a student to see how they are doing.

For teachers: to assess or provide feedback to a student through a one-on-one meeting rather than a written test.

- The teacher will conference with each student about their writing project.
- The writing centre encourages tutors to conference with students throughout the drafting process to foster more effective revision habits.

Usage: often used in educational contexts as an intransitive verb followed by 'with'

## Examples

- I am attending a business conference in London next week.
- The annual medical conference brings together doctors from around the world to discuss new treatments for heart disease.
- The international climate conference concluded with a series of non-binding agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions across the industrial sector over the next decade.

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