convention

noun

kən-ˈven(t)-shən How to pronounce convention (audio)
Definition of conventionnext
1
as in meeting
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose attended a convention of mathematicians in California

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2
as in treaty
a formal agreement between two or more nations or peoples an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons

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3
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken the Geneva Convention details proper treatment of prisoners of war

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4
as in tradition
an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing the bride decided to follow convention and to have her father give her away

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of convention Though 2026 is set to be the first of the events for the GOP, midterm conventions were routine for Democrats in the 1970s and 1980s. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Earlier Anne Brensley of Wayland, who won the GOP party convention endorsement for lieutenant governor, was also disqualified from running in the September primary for the same reasons. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 July 2026 The demonstrations outside the convention in the eastern city of Erfurt reflected how AfD has divided Germany even while becoming the biggest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in Germany’s formerly communist east. — David Keyton, Christian Science Monitor, 4 July 2026 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night and Good Luck, The Ides of March, and Suburbicon are examples of films that are refined, ambitious, and outside the rules and conventions of Hollywood cinema. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for convention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convention
  1. meeting
  2. treaty
  3. agreement
  4. tradition
  5. gathering
  6. pact
  7. rule
  8. values
Noun
  • An explosion went off near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus on Tuesday, where French President Emmanuel Macron had spent the night ahead of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, according to French and Syrian media.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • The build-up to this meeting has been tense, with defense spending remaining a contentious topic.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • Each summit is meant to showcase the commitment to collective security — the all-for-one, one-for-all pledge enshrined in Article 5 of NATO’s treaty.
    — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • The decision, which was widely anticipated, does not end the pact immediately, but rather kicks off a decade-long annual review process for the three countries to negotiate on the treaty until the USMCA officially expires in 2036.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of treaty
Noun
  • Historians are in broad agreement that this year’s celebration has garnered far less attention than the bicentennial, marked in 1976, which generated blanket media coverage and widespread national excitement.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted to approve the mutual separation agreement between Williams and the city at Thursday evening’s commission meeting.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of agreement
Noun
  • Each exchange led to a conversation about how their traditions and lives differed.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Andronis describes the restaurant as a traditional Greek taverna set against the caldera cliffs, blending Greek traditions with Santorini’s romance and exclusivity.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Political conventions are typically massive gatherings reserved for presidential election years, where parties formally nominate their candidates for the general election.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • See how designer Hattie Sparks Collins gave her in-laws' new build to a sunny dose of gathering-place nostalgia.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of gathering
Noun
  • Hezbollah was not included in the negotiations over the pact.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Under the pact, Point Grey will have a first look at new projects McAtee is producing.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Definition of pact
Noun
  • In the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, which borders Crimea, another video shows a man filling up a container in the back of his car while two women berate him for breaking the rules.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The Marlins tacked on two runs in the second on Lopez’s ground-rule double and Hicks’ sacrifice fly.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • As temperatures rise, heat index values could approach the upper 90s.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • The goal is to help people think through values, preferences, lifestyle, and relationship goals before beginning conversations.
    — Matthew Kayser Updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of values

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Cite this Entry

“Convention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convention. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on convention

Nglish: Translation of convention for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about convention

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