# convention

/kənˈvɛnʃən/ (US) · /kənvˈɛnʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. social custom

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- It is a social convention to shake hands when you meet someone for the first time.
- The artist delighted in flouting artistic convention, using industrial materials that shocked the traditional gallery-going public.

### 2. large meeting

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- Thousands of fans travelled to the city for the annual comic book convention.
- The party's national convention served as a platform to unify the various factions before the general election campaign began in earnest.

### 3. formal agreement

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The Geneva Convention sets out the rules for how prisoners of war should be treated.
- The signatory nations met to discuss updates to the international convention on maritime safety, ensuring the protocols reflected modern technological advancements.

### 4. standard method

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- In English writing, the convention is to start a new paragraph for each new speaker.
- The research paper followed the standard naming conventions for chemical compounds to ensure clarity for international readers.

## Examples

- It is a social convention to shake hands when you meet someone.
- The annual medical convention attracts thousands of doctors who want to learn about the latest research.
- The artist chose to defy every established convention of portraiture, using abstract shapes and neon colours instead of realistic features to represent his subjects.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.