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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 But outsiders can't be certain that traditional conventions surrounding the public statements of the New York Fed president and the Fed vice chair have survived the leadership transition. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 By institutional convention, such a show would unfold chronologically; but as its curator, the Native designer Brian Johnson, notes, time is a snake swallowing its own tail. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Lucas said the city has been working to bring conventions and conferences to the city, including in 2024 when the United States Conference of Mayors brought 200 city leaders to town — which Lucas said no one actually cared about. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 Curated by Javier Garcia Puerto, the program has been celebrating filmmakers who challenge cinematic conventions, bringing together emerging voices and established directors. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 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
  • Every year, Noting’s fan community elects a community board observer, a volunteer who attends the company’s quarterly board meetings and presents customers’ views on products and launches to its directors.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That same year one of the scientists who first uncovered the existence of GRBs, Ray Klebesadel of the clandestine Los Alamos National Laboratory, gave a talk at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • Nonnuclear European countries will have to agree to finance the development and procurement of new missile systems and possibly airplanes (although not nuclear warheads, which would violate their treaty commitments).
    — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
  • China does not have a formal extradition treaty with the United States.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of treaty
Noun
  • Companies are only allowed to disclose them if the agreements are noncancellable.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of agreement
Noun
  • What was intended to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration has been marked by profound sadness.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Selig in essence dumped his team’s AL tradition for a few more home games with the Cubs and their money-spending fans from the North Shore.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • After the last one is opened, use the set to bake cookies for Santa and decorate them on Christmas Eve, then take the extras along to your holiday gathering.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Police cited security reasons for the latest ban of a student gathering in the northwestern town of Banja Luka on Monday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of gathering
Noun
  • Creator deals unveiled at the market included Endemol Shine Brasil’s pact with Latino creator house Grupo Podpah.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Peacock earlier this year struck an innovative distribution pact to be bundled as part of a YouTube TV premium tier.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of pact
Noun
  • In 2024, the CFPB proposed a rule that would require the disclosure of tips and fees as finance charges as an APR, or the total yearly cost of borrowing money.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But that same year, protests erupted that ended 15 years of rule by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Businesses that rediscover its values will gain what their velocity-chasing competitors cannot buy, borrow, or automate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • At the heart of all this is Silver's attempt to increase franchise values across the league.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of values

Browse Nearby Words

conventicles
convention
conventional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convention. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on convention

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about convention

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All