conference

conference (ˈkɒnfərəns, -frəns)

—n
1.	a meeting for consultation, exchange of information, or discussion, esp one with a formal agenda
2.	a formal meeting of two or more states, political groups, etc, esp to discuss differences or formulate common policy
3.	an assembly of the clergy or of clergy and laity of any of certain Protestant Christian Churches acting as representatives of their denomination: the Methodist conference
4.	sport a league or division of clubs or teams
5.	rare an act of bestowal

[C16: from Medieval Latin conferentia, from Latin conferre to bring together; see confer]

conferential

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

conference

1550s, "act of conferring," from Fr. conférence (16c.), from M.L. conferentia, from conferre (see confer). Meaning "formal meeting for consultation" is from 1580s.

Example sentences

Skype is reaching out to corporate users with a new service for conference calling.

The scientists said they held the press conference earlier than intended to quell rumors about their findings.

It has taken an isolated position on some plans at the conference.

The droll conference room meeting of yore is a thing of the past.

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Matching Quote

"The Cairo conference ... is about a complicated web of education and employment, consumption and poverty, development and health care. It is also about whether governments will follow where women have so clearly led them, toward safe, simple and reliable choices in family planning. While Cairo crackles with conflict, in the homes of the world the orthodoxies have been duly heard, and roundly ignored."

-Anna Quindlen