A convention is a way of behaving that is considered to be correct or polite by most people in a society.
It's just a social convention that men don't wear skirts.
Despite her wish to defy convention, she had become pregnant and married at 21.
Synonyms: custom, practice, tradition, code More Synonyms of convention
2. countable noun
In art, literature, or the theatre, a convention is a traditional method or style.
We go offstage and come back for the convention of the encore.
...the stylistic conventions of Egyptian art. [+ of]
3. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A convention is an official agreement between countries or groups of people.
...the U.N. convention on climate change. [+ on]
...the Geneva convention.
4. countable noun
A convention is a large meeting of an organization or political group.
...the annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists. [+ of]
...the Republican convention.
Synonyms: assembly, meeting, council, conference More Synonyms of convention
More Synonyms of convention
convention in British English
(kənˈvɛnʃən)
noun
1.
a.
a large formal assembly of a group with common interests, such as a political party or trade union
b.
the persons attending such an assembly
2. US politics
an assembly of delegates of one party to select candidates for office
3. diplomacy
an international agreement second only to a treaty in formality
a telecommunications convention
4.
any agreement, compact, or contract
5.
the most widely accepted or established view of what is thought to be proper behaviour, good taste, etc
6.
an accepted rule, usage, etc
a convention used by printers
7. Also called: conventional bridge
a bid or play not to be taken at its face value, which one's partner can interpret according to a prearranged bidding system
Word origin
C15: from Latin conventiō an assembling, agreeing
convention in American English
(kənˈvɛnʃən)
noun
1. Rare
a convening or being convened
2.
a.
an assembly, often periodical, of members or delegates, as of a political, social, professional, or religious group
b.
the members or delegates at such an assembly
c.
in the U.S., an official gathering of delegates of one party to select candidates for office, formulate party policies, etc.
3.
a.
an agreement between persons, nations, etc.
a copyright convention; the Geneva Convention
b.
general agreement on the usages and practices of social life
bohemian revolt against convention
4.
a.
a customary practice, rule, method, etc.; usage
the soliloquy was an Elizabethan dramatic convention
b. Cards
a bid or play understood by partners to have a special meaning when made by either of them
Word origin
ME convencioun < L conventio < pp. of convenire, convene
Examples of 'convention' in a sentence
convention
There are two journalistic conventions when it comes to sports writing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He seems determined to defy the conventions of a tragic ending.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They are protected creatures under international convention.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What do you expect from the upcoming party conventions?
Christianity Today (2000)
Yet in menswear we are wedded to convention in a way womenswear is not.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
People in no way adhere to regular social conventions online.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was general agreement that the previously unpublished conventions should become explicit and public.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
In a good year these conventions might produce one signing of note.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Language changes and some conventions are discarded.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The evidence was visible at the party conventions and campaign rallies.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The possibility of building an international convention centre in the heart of the capital has also been resurrected.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They lived in the depths of distant forests and held an annual convention near Chartres.
Begg, Ean & Rich, Deike On the Trail of Merlin - a guide to the Celtic mystery tradition (1991)
This is merely a polite convention, not an aesthetic issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The two sides were unable to reach agreement at a convention in Montreal last month.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
For its forthcoming annual convention the IoD has drafted a couple of celebs.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Getting on a bus, tube or train on the way to a convention can be funny.
The Sun (2013)
They have to compromise, follow regulations and recognise social conventions.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Peers were being urged last night to defy convention and vote against the Bill during its second reading.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
For years it has clung doggedly to established practices and conventions, some of which pass no scrutiny by modern society.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
If enough users of English adopt different conventions, those agreements will be superseded.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Actually, there is a third journalistic convention when it comes to sports writing, which is that it is possible to make sense of sport.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
convention
British English: convention NOUN
A convention is a way of behaving that is considered to be correct or polite by most people in a society.
It's just a social convention that men don't wear skirts.
American English: convention
Brazilian Portuguese: convenção
Chinese: 习俗
European Spanish: convención
French: convention
German: Konvention
Italian: convenzione
Japanese: 慣習
Korean: 관습
European Portuguese: convenção
Latin American Spanish: convención
All related terms of 'convention'
open convention
a party convention at which delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice
convention centre
a place where conventions are held
Geneva Convention
the international agreement, first formulated in 1864 at Geneva , establishing a code for wartime treatment of the sick or wounded : revised and extended on several occasions to cover maritime warfare and prisoners of war
brokered convention
a party convention in which many delegates are pledged to favorite sons who use their blocs of votes to bargain with leading candidates who lack a majority of delegate support
National Convention
a convention held every four years by each major US political party to choose its presidential candidate
political convention
a meeting of a political party, esp to select party candidates