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:
The government said it would convene an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the strikes.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
The independent panel will hold a sanctions hearing – which could take months to convene – to decide the punishment.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Earlier, an FAA spokesperson said the regulator "is working closely with Boeing and the airlines," adding that the FAA will convene an advisory board and "will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern."
From Barron's ● 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
“Thank you, my lords. Let us convene again five days hence. After Cersei’s trial.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
The WSJ CFO & COO Council convenes the world’s top financial leaders so they can gain perspective on navigating market uncertainty, aligning priorities and making decisions that deliver measurable results.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
Boro remain in a state of limbo until the independent disciplinary commission convenes.
From BBC ● May 13, 2026
On Thursdays, he convenes an interagency discussion of the latest threats.
From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2026
At Catalina’s, an older crowd with less current tastes convenes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 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
In 2001, in response to such critiques, the Smithsonian convened a blue-ribbon commission of historians and others led by Richard Darman, a former top aide in Republican White Houses.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026
Former Deputy Mayor of Economic Development William “Billy” Chun convened recurring meetings between the museum’s development team and senior officials from Building and Safety, Public Works, the Department of Water and Power and other agencies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
Faced with the threat, Zelensky convened his military cabinet last week to speed up the production of faster interceptor drones.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Nepali police say they have convened a 10-member committee to look into these online comments.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
The Getty was getting worried, so they convened a special symposium on the kouros in Greece.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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
Local officials are convening experts from around the country to avert a leak or explosion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026
On Friday, the appeal court said Manele must take steps before noon on Tuesday to facilitate convening parliament so lawmakers sit by May 7.
From Barron's ● May 1, 2026
After convening, the first order of business for the assembly would be to elect a president.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
