convention

/kənˈvɛntʃən/

/kənˈvɛnʃɪn/

Other forms: conventions

A convention is a meeting, usually of a particular group. Political parties, teachers, plumbers, gardeners, toymakers and computer designers all hold conventions.

In fact, lots of cities have built Convention Centers in hopes of attracting convention-goers. The best-known conventions happen every four years when the Democrats and Republicans meet to nominate presidential candidates. A convention can also be used to describe the normal or accepted way of doing things. It's the convention, for example, for your employer to give you a three-day weekend around the Fourth of July, even if it falls on a weekend.

Definitions of convention

1. noun

   the act of convening
   synonyms: convening

   type of:

   assemblage, assembly, gathering

   the social act of assembling
2. noun

   a large formal assembly
   “political convention”

   types:

   Constitutional Convention

   the convention of United States statesmen who drafted the United States Constitution in 1787

   type of:

   group meeting, meeting

   a formally arranged gathering
3. noun

   something regarded as a normative example
   “the convention of not naming the main character”

   synonyms: formula, normal, pattern, rule

   types:

   mores

   (sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group

   code of behavior, code of conduct

   a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group

   universal

   a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

   courtly love

   (Middle Ages) a highly conventionalized code of conduct for lovers

   knight errantry

   (Middle Ages) the code of conduct observed by a knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry

   protocol

   code of correct conduct

   type of:

   practice

   knowledge of how something is usually done
4. noun

   orthodoxy as a consequence of being conventional
   synonyms: conventionalism, conventionality

   types:

   conformity, ossification

   hardened conventionality

   type of:

   orthodoxy

   the quality of being orthodox (especially in religion)
5. noun

   (diplomacy) an international agreement
   examples:

   Chemical Weapons Convention

   a global treaty banning the production or acquisition or stockpiling or transfer or use of chemical weapons

   Geneva Convention

   an agreement first drawn up in Geneva in 1864 and later revised concerning the treatment of captured and wounded military personnel and civilians in wartime

   type of:

   accord, pact, treaty

   a written agreement between two states or sovereigns