plural noun
Large organized meetings where people with a shared interest discuss ideas, make decisions, or choose leaders.
Thousands of teachers attended the annual conventions.
Political conventions often attract a lot of media attention.
American English
How to pronounce conventions
nounB2Common word
knVEHNshnz
/kʰn̩ˈvɛn.ʃn̩z/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of convention
Large organized meetings where people with a shared interest discuss ideas, make decisions, or choose leaders.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun
Usual and accepted ways of doing something, especially in a society or group.
Social conventions vary from one country to another.
These conventions help readers understand the story.
Good to know
In this meaning, conventions often means accepted customs or rules, not organized meetings.
plural noun
Formal agreements between countries or organizations.
Several international conventions protect cultural heritage.
The countries agreed to follow the conventions on human rights.
Useful expressions
a large building used for meetings, exhibitions, and events
The convention center has ten meeting rooms.
according to an accepted rule or custom
By convention, red means danger.
to do something in a way that is different from the usual way
The designer broke with convention and used bright colors.