English Reference

Word

roundtable

Phoneticsround·table

/ˈɹaʊndˌteɪbəɫ/

Definition

n. a meeting where everyone has an equal chance to talk and share their ideas. It is often used for solving problems or discussing important topics in a group.

n. a meeting or conference for discussion among several participants on an equal footing. Often implies a collaborative environment where no single person dominates the agenda.

Examples

“The team held a roundtable to discuss the new project.”

“The government invited local business leaders to a roundtable to address the rising costs of energy in the region.”

“By organizing a roundtable instead of a traditional lecture, the university encouraged a more democratic exchange of ideas between the visiting scholars and the graduate students.”

Examples

simple

“The team held a roundtable to discuss the new project.”

contextual

“The government invited local business leaders to a roundtable to address the rising costs of energy in the region.”

complex

“By organizing a roundtable instead of a traditional lecture, the university encouraged a more democratic exchange of ideas between the visiting scholars and the graduate students.”

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'roundtable discussion' or 'roundtable meeting'.

Real-World Examples

“Hughes’s comments come after the charity Mind held a roundtable with experts in Westminster to discuss the role mental health services needed to play to keep the public and patients safe.”
The Guardian · 5 Sept 2026
“State and federal leaders are holding a roundtable on combating sexual violence today in Sydney.”
The Guardian · 4 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference