forum

[ fawr-uh m, fohr-uh m ]

/ ˈfɔr əm, ˈfoʊr əm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forum ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural fo·rums, fo·ra [fawr-uh, fohr-uh] /ˈfɔr ə, ˈfoʊr ə/.

the marketplace or public square of an ancient Roman city, the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of assembly for the people.

a court or tribunal: the forum of public opinion.

an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the discussion of questions of public interest.

Also called online forum, Internet forum, Web forum. message board.

the Forum, the forum in the ancient city of Rome.

Nearby words

forty-third, forty-three, forty-two, fortyish, fortypenny, forum, forward, forward bias, forward delivery, forward echelon, forward exchange

Origin of forum

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin: marketplace, public place, akin to forīs, forās outside, foris door

Can be confused

form forum (see synonym study at form)

Definition for forum (2 of 2)

message board

noun

a website or section of a website that is used for public discussion of a specific topic and on which users can submit or read messages: You should post your questions on a parenting message board and get support from other parents.

an online discussion group that is maintained on such a website: To participate in the message board, you must be a registered user.

Also called discussion board, forum.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for forum

After his death, Jackson tried to speak up for her friend on a Facebook forum.
Alleged Cop Killer’s Blood-Soaked Screenplay|M.L. Nestel|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a forum for the voices defining the global struggle for justice.
Quorum: Global LGBT Voices||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Chris Brown announced onstage at The Forum in Los Angeles on Friday night.
The Chris Brown vs. Drake Feud Continues: Brown Claims Ex GF Karrueche Tran Cheated with Drizzy|Marlow Stern|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There were a number of people who could have convened a forum of Charter 77, or meetings with other, smaller opposition groups.
How Havel Inspired the Velvet Revolution|Michael Zantovsky|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

These posts are still available in archives that are only viewable to privileged members of the forum.
School Shooters Love This Pickup Artist Website|Brandy Zadrozny|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was on the north corner of the hill and overlooked the Forum.
Under Csars' Shadow|Henry Francis Colby
Even if not convicted he should realize that, in the forum of conscience, he could not draw his salary.
A History of The Inquisition of Spain; vol. 2,|Henry Charles Lea
The Forum is usually approached from the west side by the short, steep street leading from the Porta Marina.
Pompeii, Its Life and Art|August Mau
Passing out from the Forum under the arch at the northeast corner, we enter the broadest street in Pompeii.
Pompeii, Its Life and Art|August Mau
Other people feel that in treading the Forum of Rome they are at the centre of human things.
Robert Elsmere|Mrs. Humphry Ward

British Dictionary definitions for forum (1 of 3)

forum

/ (ˈfɔːrəm) /

noun plural -rums or -ra (-rə)

a meeting or assembly for the open discussion of subjects of public interest

a medium for open discussion, such as a magazine

a public meeting place for open discussion

a court; tribunal

(in South Africa) a pressure group of leaders or representatives, esp Black leaders or representatives

(in ancient Italy) an open space, usually rectangular in shape, serving as a city's marketplace and centre of public business

Word Origin for forum

C15: from Latin: public place; related to Latin foris outside

British Dictionary definitions for forum (2 of 3)

Forum

Forum Romanum

/ (rəʊˈmɑːnəm) /

noun

the Forum the main forum of ancient Rome, situated between the Capitoline and the Palatine Hills

British Dictionary definitions for forum (3 of 3)

message board

noun

an internet discussion forum

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