conference

[ kon-fer-uhns, -fruhns ]

noun

1. a meeting for consultation or discussion:

   a conference between a student and his adviser.

   Synonyms: colloquium, parley

2. the act of conferring or consulting together; consultation, especially on an important or serious matter.
3. Government. a meeting, as of various committees, to settle disagreements between the two branches of the legislature.
4. an association of athletic teams; league:

   an intercollegiate conference.

5. Ecclesiastical.
   1. an official assembly of clergy or of clergy and laity, customary in many Christian denominations.
   2. a group of churches whose representatives regularly meet in such an assembly.

verb (used without object)

, con·fer·enced, con·fer·enc·ing.

1. to hold or participate in a conference or series of conferences.

conference

/ ˈkɒnfərəns; -frəns; ˌkɒnfəˈrɛnʃəl /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• conferential, adjective

Other Words From

• con·fer·en·tial [kon-f, uh, -, ren, -sh, uh, l], adjective
• pre·confer·ence noun
• sub·confer·ence noun
• subcon·fer·ential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conference¹

From the Medieval Latin word conferentia, dating back to 1530–40. See confer, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of conference¹

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

Synonym Study

See convention.

Example Sentences

At a press conference today with Scalise, Speaker Boehner again defended him.

From The Daily Beast

Boyce was asked at a press conference if Polanco went peacefully.

From The Daily Beast

He could deliver a quick, effective speech, or hold a proper press conference.

From The Daily Beast

After some animated debate at the conference, Lelaie declared, with some frustration, “If you push on the stick, you will fly.”

From The Daily Beast

Boehner was unanimously selected by the conference as its official nominee for speaker in the coming Congress.

From The Daily Beast

Their conference was short; but it implied to Louis, that his delegated reign, as well as that of his father, was at an end.

From Project Gutenberg

We had a conference with each of them, Generals and Staff who could be spared from the fighting being present.

From Project Gutenberg

It nettled him; it broke down his habitual composure, and it was a relief to him when the conference came to a close.

From Project Gutenberg

It had been aroused a little by the stranger himself; secondly by their scared faces; thirdly by this close conference.

From Project Gutenberg

His voice broke from the smothered conference tone and the school heard it and tittered.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consultation
• discussion
• forum
• interview
• meeting
• seminar
• symposium
• talk