convene
Americanverb (used without object)
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convenes,
present (3rd person singular)
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convened,
past participle, past
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convening
present participle
verb (used with object)
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convenes,
present (3rd person singular)
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convened,
past participle, past
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convening
present participle
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to cause to assemble; convoke.
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to summon to appear, as before a judicial officer.
verb
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to gather, call together, or summon, esp for a formal meeting
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(tr) to order to appear before a court of law, judge, tribunal, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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convenernoun
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convenornoun
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reconveneverb
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convenableadjective
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unconvenableadjective
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unconvenedadjective
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unconveningadjective
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convenablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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convenesimple
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convenessimple
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have convenedperfect
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has convenedperfect
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am conveningprogressive
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are conveningprogressive
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is conveningprogressive
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have been conveningperfect progressive
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has been conveningperfect progressive
Past
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convenedsimple
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had convenedperfect
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was conveningprogressive
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were conveningprogressive
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had been conveningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of convene
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin convenīre to come together, equivalent to con- con- + venīre to come
Explanation
The verb convene is a somewhat formal way of saying "to bring together for the purpose of a meeting." Convene is one of those words that lend an air of formality to a situation. We use it in place of the words "call a meeting" for such situations as government assemblages, court hearings, and conferences. Its meaning can be easily seen in its history — it comes from the Latin con-, which means "together," and the verb venīre, "to come." Imagine, if the syllables had just fit the music, the Beatles song "Come Together," might have been called "Convene."
Vocabulary lists containing convene
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 16–19
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com-, con-
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This Week in Words: April 14 - 20, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A grand jury, however, might convene only once a month, requiring the need for an expedited procedure.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
Macron would also soon convene a video meeting of G7 leaders "to make progress on the various levers that can be used to address the rising fuel prices... including coordination on releasing reserves."
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
In the US legal system, prosecutors convene grand juries to weigh evidence and testimony and eventually vote on whether they merit criminal charges.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
The executive order, which would convene experts to mull possible AI-oversight policies, comes as discussions about AI risk have exploded from Silicon Valley circles into public view.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
The belief that people should convene to help one another was valued in my family.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Shirin Ali: In your paper, you drill down on the president’s efforts to undermine the midterms into three flashpoints: Before Election Day, during the vote counting and certification process, and when the new Congress convenes.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026
Similar summits took place last season as the club's hierarchy once again convenes for department meetings and discussions about future plans, including long-term infrastructure projects.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026
On Thursdays, he convenes an interagency discussion of the latest threats.
From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2026
The president convenes a starry meeting to address the current chaos, and pledges an executive order.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026
Jackson is outraged, orders a court-martial which never convenes.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
"Standard procedures for such incidents were immediately activated, and an operational headquarters comprising representatives of various institutions was convened," the statement said.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
That year’s plenum, convened during the tumult of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, was attended by about 35% of the Central Committee membership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
The mayor met with a group of business owners in the area in 2023 and she convened weekly safety meetings between business owners, district leaders and local law enforcement to address their concerns, Vega said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
South Korea's National Security Office convened an emergency security meeting following the launch to review the country's military readiness.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
The next Sunday, when Dad convened the second meeting of the Council, we sat self-consciously around the table, biding our time.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Fidelity, meanwhile, has built popular subreddits around its investment and crypto offerings by convening general finance discussions and publishing guides and tips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Organisers at Kathmandu University, which was convening the August 23-29 event, said they were told to withdraw from hosting it.
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
But “The Real Food Show” cannot recommend a salad dressing without first convening a tribunal.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
A duo for the ages is convening once again.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
If he confirms, are you okay for convening at 5 tomorrow?
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
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