conference

American  

[kon-fer-uhns, -fruhns] / ˈkɒn fər əns, -frəns /

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.

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verb (used without object)

conferenced, conferencing

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

conference British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See convention.

Other Word Forms

• conferential adjective
• preconference noun
• subconference noun
• subconferential adjective

Etymology

Origin of conference

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

Example Sentences

While any plan to do so would need state approval, Mayor Zohran Mamdani made it clear in a Wednesday press conference External link that he’s not going to drop the idea.

From Barron's

It’s unclear if Powell will stay on the board once he is no longer chair, and he wouldn’t comment on the subject at Wednesday’s press conference.

From Barron's

“Again, I don’t want to get into this,” Powell said at a news conference after the Fed’s latest meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I’m not going to get into a debate with the FBI director, nor do I want there to be a conflict,” Sheinbaum said at her daily news conference on Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, the Bruins figured it out and remained unbeaten in conference play after beating a fierce competitor in Michigan State 197.425-196.900.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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