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convention

n.
US //kənˈvɛnʃən// UK //kənvˈɛnʃən// con·ven·tion
  1. 1 social custom (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a traditional way of behaving or doing something that most people in a society follow.

    a widely observed social custom or practice established by general consent or long usage.

    Example

    It is a social convention to shake hands when you meet someone for the first time.

    Example

    The artist delighted in flouting artistic convention, using industrial materials that shocked the traditional gallery-going public.
  2. 2 large meeting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a large meeting of people who belong to the same profession, political party, or interest group.

    a large formal assembly of delegates or members of an organisation, often for political or professional purposes.

    Example

    Thousands of fans travelled to the city for the annual comic book convention.

    Example

    The party's national convention served as a platform to unify the various factions before the general election campaign began in earnest.
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  1. 3 formal agreement (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    a formal agreement between countries or a set of rules for a specific activity.

    a formal agreement or treaty between states, or a set of rules governing specific professional or technical practices.

    Example

    The Geneva Convention sets out the rules for how prisoners of war should be treated.

    Example

    The signatory nations met to discuss updates to the international convention on maritime safety, ensuring the protocols reflected modern technological advancements.
  2. 4 standard method (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Academic

    a standard way of doing something in a specific field, like writing or science.

    a rule or method of practice in a particular field, such as literature, art, or mathematics.

    Example

    In English writing, the convention is to start a new paragraph for each new speaker.

    Example

    The research paper followed the standard naming conventions for chemical compounds to ensure clarity for international readers.
Origin

Recorded since about 1440, borrowed from Middle French convention, from Latin conventiō (“meeting, assembling; agreement, convention”), from conveniō (“come, gather or meet together, assemble”), from con- (“with, together”) + veniō (“come”). Equivalent to convene + -tion.

Word family

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