conference

[ kon-fer-uhns, -fruhns ]

/ ˈkɒn fər əns, -frəns /

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See synonyms for: conference / conferences on Thesaurus.com

noun

a meeting for consultation or discussion: a conference between a student and his adviser.

the act of conferring or consulting together; consultation, especially on an important or serious matter.

Government. a meeting, as of various committees, to settle disagreements between the two branches of the legislature.

an association of athletic teams; league: an intercollegiate conference.

Ecclesiastical.

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

verb (used without object), con·fer·enced, con·fer·enc·ing.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR conference

1 parley, colloquium.

See synonyms for conference on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of conference

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

synonym study for conference

1. See convention.

OTHER WORDS FROM conference

con·fer·en·tial

[kon-fuh-ren-shuhl], /ˌkɒn fəˈrɛn ʃəl/, adjectivepre·con·fer·ence, nounsub·con·fer·ence, nounsub·con·fer·en·tial, adjective

Words nearby conference

Confederate War, confederation, confederative, confer, conferee, conference, conference call, Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Conference pear, conferencing, conferral

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use conference in a sentence

Tensions had flared anew earlier Monday after a news conference with Kenosha Mayor John Antarmian, originally to be held in a park, was moved inside the city’s public safety building.
Protests continue in Wisconsin after police shooting of Jacob Blake|kdunn6|August 25, 2020|Fortune
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond acknowledged in a press conference last month that California’s schools have not always been a place where students can gain a full understanding of the contributions of people of color.
As School Resumes, Students Bring Racial Justice Push to the Classroom|Kayla Jimenez|August 18, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Concerts, conferences, festivals, sporting events, weddings, and anything else that entails a lot of people being in one place has been put on hold indefinitely—and we miss it.
An Indian Company Is Gearing Up to Make Millions of Doses of a $3 Covid-19 Vaccine|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|August 12, 2020|Singularity Hub
She had planned on calling for “more comprehensive action” at a press conference Tuesday.
Morning Report: Rural Districts Still Scrambling to Prepare for Online Learning|Voice of San Diego|August 12, 2020|Voice of San Diego

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said in a web conference that in many cases, a district’s preferred device won’t be available for weeks after the school year starts.
Rural Districts Still Lack Devices, Internet Access as School Year Draws Near|Kayla Jimenez|August 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego
At a press conference today with Scalise, Speaker Boehner again defended him.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Boyce was asked at a press conference if Polanco went peacefully.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He could deliver a quick, effective speech, or hold a proper press conference.
Obama’s Pot Policy Is Refer Madness|James Poulos|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
After some animated debate at the conference, Lelaie declared, with some frustration, “If you push on the stick, you will fly.”
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Boehner was unanimously selected by the conference as its official nominee for speaker in the coming Congress.
The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention|Ben Jacobs|January 4, 2015|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.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
We had a conference with each of them, Generals and Staff who could be spared from the fighting being present.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
It nettled him; it broke down his habitual composure, and it was a relief to him when the conference came to a close.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
It had been aroused a little by the stranger himself; secondly by their scared faces; thirdly by this close conference.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
His voice broke from the smothered conference tone and the school heard it and tittered.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

British Dictionary definitions for conference

conference

/ (ˈkɒnfərəns, -frəns) /

noun

a meeting for consultation, exchange of information, or discussion, esp one with a formal agenda

a formal meeting of two or more states, political groups, etc, esp to discuss differences or formulate common policy

an assembly of the clergy or of clergy and laity of any of certain Protestant Christian Churches acting as representatives of their denominationthe Methodist conference

sport a league or division of clubs or teams

rare an act of bestowal

Derived forms of conference

conferential (ˌkɒnfəˈrɛnʃəl), adjective

Word Origin for conference

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

conference

OTHER WORDS FOR conference

Origin of conference

synonym study for conference

OTHER WORDS FROM conference

Words nearby conference

Words related to conference

How to use conference in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conference

Derived forms of conference

Word Origin for conference