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seminar

n. · v.
US //ˈsɛməˌnɑɹ// UK //sˈɛmɪnˌɑː// sem·i·nar
  1. 1 academic class (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a small university class where students and a teacher discuss a topic together.

    a small group session in higher education where students engage in discussion and present research under the guidance of a tutor.

    Example

    In our history seminar, we spent the whole hour debating the causes of the war.

    Example

    The graduate seminar requires students to present their preliminary findings to their peers for critical feedback before submitting their final thesis chapters.

  2. 2 professional meeting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a meeting where people in the same job or business share information and learn new skills.

    a professional meeting or short course designed to exchange information or provide training within a specific industry.

    Example

    The company sent the sales team to a two-day seminar on digital marketing.

    Example

    The legal firm hosted a seminar to update its clients on recent changes to international tax regulations and compliance standards.

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  1. 3 to participate in a seminar (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Formal

    to take part in or lead a seminar discussion.

    to engage in the activities of a seminar, either as a participant or a facilitator.

    Example

    The professors spent the afternoon seminaring with their doctoral candidates.

    Example

    The visiting scholar spent the week seminaring with the faculty, exploring the intersection of linguistics and cognitive psychology.

    Usage

    This verb is intransitive and is primarily used in high-level academic contexts.

Origin

From German Seminar, from Latin sēminārium, from sēmen (“seed”). Compare seminary.

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