symposium

[ sim-poh-zee-uhm ]

noun

, plural sym·po·si·ums, sym·po·si·a [sim-, poh, -zee-, uh].

1. a meeting or conference for the discussion of some subject, especially a meeting at which several speakers talk on or discuss a topic before an audience.
2. a collection of opinions expressed or articles contributed by several persons on a given subject or topic.
3. an account of a discussion meeting or of the conversation at it.
4. (in ancient Greece and Rome) a convivial meeting, usually following a dinner, for drinking and intellectual conversation.
5. (initial capital letter, italics) a philosophical dialogue (4th century b.c.) by Plato, dealing with ideal love and the vision of absolute beauty.

symposium

/ sɪmˈpəʊzɪəm /

noun

1. a conference or meeting for the discussion of some subject, esp an academic topic or social problem
2. a collection of scholarly contributions, usually published together, on a given subject
3. (in classical Greece) a drinking party with intellectual conversation, music, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of symposium¹

1580–90; < Latin < Greek sympósion drinking party, equivalent to sym- sym- + po- (variant stem of pī́nein to drink) + -sion noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of symposium¹

C16: via Latin from Greek sumposion, from sumpinein to drink together, from sum- syn- + pinein to drink

Example Sentences

In September 2011, a group of neuroscientists and nanoscientists gathered at a picturesque estate in the English countryside for a symposium meant to bring their two fields together.

From MIT Technology Review

The online symposium focused on online learning, cancer research, computing, and climate change.

From MIT Technology Review

“So in our specific trial … we do not see the treatment benefits that a lot of advocates believe there should have been,” Mills told a symposium.

From Washington Post

Workplace Pride and the Dutch Embassy in Budapest on May 17 will host a symposium on LGBTQ-inclusive workplaces in Hungary.

From Washington Blade

Some years ago, at a symposium on the animal mind hosted by New York University, one of the presenters attempted to pour cold water on certain widespread assumptions.

From Washington Post

Wiliam addressed a symposium of leading conservationists gathered by his United For Wildlife charity.

From The Daily Beast

One such add-on, Zerocoin, debuted at a San Francisco symposium in May.

From The Daily Beast

Two of the events, nearly ten percent of this symposium, perpetuate the lie that Zionism is racism.

From The Daily Beast

Commentary magazine has published an important symposium on the future of conservatism.

From The Daily Beast

Tomorrow morning, Democracy and CFED are hosting an even at CFED's offices to discuss the issues raised in the symposium.

From The Daily Beast

The ἁγὡν of the Greeks is also manifested in the Symposium in the shape of witty conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

But Plato has not the same mastery over his instrument which he exhibits in the Phaedrus or Symposium.

From Project Gutenberg

Or at times, it would be an interview or my uncle's contribution to some symposium on the "Secret of Success," or such-like topic.

From Project Gutenberg

She was extremely clear-headed in her reason, and referred them to the Symposium and the dialogue on Lysis, to prove her point.

From Project Gutenberg

Some illustrious strangers appear to have been occasionally invited to attend the symposium.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• convention
• discussion
• forum
• meeting
• panel discussion
• round table
• seminar