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convention

 - 5 dictionary results

con⋅ven⋅tion

[kuhn-ven-shuhn]
–noun
1. a meeting or formal assembly, as of representatives or delegates, for discussion of and action on particular matters of common concern.
2. U.S. Politics. a representative party assembly to nominate candidates and adopt platforms and party rules.
3. an agreement, compact, or contract.
4. an international agreement, esp. one dealing with a specific matter, as postal service or copyright.
5. a rule, method, or practice established by usage; custom: the convention of showing north at the top of a map.
6. general agreement or consent; accepted usage, esp. as a standard of procedure.
7. conventionalism.
8. Bridge. any of a variety of established systems or methods of bidding or playing that allows partners to convey certain information about their hands.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME convencio(u)n (< MF) < L conventiōn- (s. of conventiō) agreement, lit., a coming together. See convene, -tion


1. Convention, assembly, conference, convocation name meetings for particular purposes. Convention usually suggests a meeting of delegates representing political, church, social, or fraternal organizations. Assembly usually implies a meeting for a settled or customary purpose, as for discussion, legislation, or participation in a social function. Conference suggests a meeting for consultation and discussion about business or professional problems. Convocation denotes a (church) assembly, the members of which have been summoned for a special purpose; chapel services at some colleges are called convocations. 3. pact, treaty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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con·ven·tion   (kən-věn'shən)   
n.  
    1. A formal meeting of members, representatives, or delegates, as of a political party, fraternal society, profession, or industry.

    2. The body of persons attending such an assembly: called the convention to order.

  1. An agreement between states, sides, or military forces, especially an international agreement dealing with a specific subject, such as the treatment of prisoners of war.

  2. General agreement on or acceptance of certain practices or attitudes: By convention, north is at the top of most maps.

  3. A practice or procedure widely observed in a group, especially to facilitate social interaction; a custom: the convention of shaking hands.

  4. A widely used and accepted device or technique, as in drama, literature, or painting: the theatrical convention of the aside.


[Middle English convencioun, from Latin conventiō, conventiōn-, meeting, from conventus, past participle of convenīre, to assemble; see convene.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  Convention2
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  See National Convention
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Copyright © 2003-2009 Dictionary.com, LLC
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Word Origin & History

convention 
c.1440, from L. conventionem (nom. conventio), pp. of convenire (see convene). Conventional "following tradition" is from 1831 (from convention in secondary sense of "agreement"); of weapons, meaning "non-nuclear," it is attested from 1955.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: con·ven·tion
Function: noun
1 : an agreement between nations for regulation of matters affecting all of them
2 : an agreement enforceable in law : CONTRACT
3 : an assembly of persons met for a common purpose; especially : a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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