Meaning & use

convention

noun·Academic

An agreed practice or custom followed by most people in a particular society or field.

See it in a sentence

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

Thousands of fans attended the comic book convention held downtown last weekend.

A note on using this word

Convention can mean an accepted custom or, separately, a large formal meeting or gathering; context distinguishes the two.

Words with a similar meaning

customnormpractice

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

novelty

Another way to use it

2. noun

A large formal meeting of people who share a profession, interest, or purpose.

Delegates from every state gathered for the national convention.

Make it your own

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