Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Convention has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
something regarded as a normative example
"the convention of not naming the main character"
"violence is the rule not the exception"
"his formula for impressing visitors"
(diplomacy) an international agreement
"After years of negotiation, the nations finally signed a convention to protect endangered marine life in the Pacific Ocean."
orthodoxy as a consequence of being conventional
"The committee's rigid adherence to traditional procedures prevented any innovative solutions from ever emerging."
the act of convening
"The committee was surprised by how quickly the convention concluded after just two hours."
A meeting or gathering.
"The tech convention drew thousands of attendees from around the world to see the latest innovations."
In plain English: A convention is an agreed-upon rule or custom that everyone in a group follows without needing to be told every time.
"The hotel hosted an annual technology convention where thousands of professionals gathered to share ideas."
Usage: Use "convention" to describe a large formal meeting where people gather to discuss shared interests or professional standards. Avoid confusing it with "convenience," which refers to ease of use rather than an organized assembly.
The word "convention" entered English around 1440 from Middle French and Latin, originally describing a gathering where people came together or an agreement reached during such a meeting. Its meaning has remained consistent with its root components of "with," "together," and "come."