conferring

American  

[kuhn-fur-ing] / kənˈfɜr ɪŋ /

noun

1. the presentation of a degree, honor, gift, etc..

   The ceremony included the conferring of 330 undergraduate and 46 graduate degrees.

2. the act of consulting with someone or carrying on a discussion or deliberation.

   Conferring is a critical step in reflecting on our writing and ultimately improving it.

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adjective

1. relating to the presentation of a degree, honor, gift, etc..

   Provide the title of the diploma or degree received, the name of the conferring institution, and its city and state.

2. involved in or relating to a discussion or consultation.

   He looked over at the conferring soldiers, deep in conversation and seemingly oblivious to their surroundings.

Etymology

Origin of conferring

First recorded in 1555–65; confer ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; confer ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Conferring with the children, you find out what makes them tick, what they want in life and where they want to be.

From Washington Times • Oct. 16, 2018

Conferring each degree, the university president, Drew Gilpin Faust, urged graduates to use their newfound powers to serve their community.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2014

Conferring privately the evening before the meeting, Los Angeles Olympic Organizer Peter Ueberroth and Soviet Sports Chief Marat Gramov found themselves in accord on one point and not much else.

From Time Magazine Archive

Conferring occasionally with Mr. Davis was redhaired, big-boned William Watson Smith, Alcoa's trial lawyer for some 25 years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Phæacia’s ship-ennobled sons meantime Conferring stood, and thus, in accents wing’d, Th’ amazed spectator to his fellow spake.

From The Odyssey of Homer by Cowper, William