English Reference
noun

forum

n.
US /ˈfɔɹəm/ UK /fˈɔːɹəm/ fo·rum UK spelling fora, forum's, forum's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Computing

    a website or section of a site where people can post messages and discuss specific topics.

    an online platform or message board facilitating asynchronous discussion through posted threads and replies.

    Simple

    I found a helpful answer to my computer problem on a tech forum.

    In context

    The developer community maintains an active forum where users can report bugs and suggest new features for the open-source project.

    message boardcommunity
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a situation or meeting where people can talk about important subjects and share opinions.

    a medium or public meeting place for open discussion or the expression of ideas.

    Simple

    The town hall meeting provided a forum for citizens to voice their concerns.

    In context

    The international conference serves as a vital forum for scientists to debate the ethical implications of genetic engineering.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical

    the central square or marketplace in an ancient Roman city used for public business.

    the public square or marketplace of an ancient Roman city, serving as the centre of judicial and public business.

    Simple

    We visited the ruins of the Roman Forum during our trip to Italy.

    In context

    Archaeologists discovered several new inscriptions while excavating the forum of the provincial Roman capital.

Usage forum for discussion

He had read about it in the news and on Reddit forums.

The Guardian· 31 Aug 2026

If people are discussing someone’s body on social media: Experts say it’s best not to comment in these public forums.

The Guardian· 25 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated