seminar

/ˌsɛməˈnɑr/

/ˈsɛmɪnɑ/

Other forms: seminars

A seminar means a class or meeting, but it carries with it extra weight. An educational seminar indicates a small, advanced study, while a meeting labeled as such means an intense exchange of ideas.

The Latin seminarium originally referred to a plant nursery, a place of great growth. From this came the German seminar, referring to a formal educational group led by a professor. While university seminars are most frequently small-group studies of a particular issue, the word is also applied to large lectures and commercial pitches. Like the seminar you attended on how to get rich by selling carrot peelers to your neighbors.

Definitions of seminar

1. noun

   a course offered for a small group of advanced students
   type of:

   class, course, course of instruction, course of study

   education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
2. noun

   any meeting for an exchange of ideas
   type of:

   conference

   a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)