webinar

American  

[web-uh-nahr] / ˈwɛb əˌnɑr /

noun

1. a seminar or other presentation that takes place on the internet, allowing participants in different locations to see and hear the presenter, ask questions, and sometimes answer polls.

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webinar British  

/ ˈwɛbɪˌnɑː /

noun

1. an interactive seminar conducted over the World Wide Web

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Etymology

Origin of webinar

First recorded in 1990–95; Web + (sem)inar

Explanation

A webinar is a class or presentation that takes place online. The advantage of a webinar over an in-person workshop is that anyone in the world can participate. The term webinar, coined in the 1990s, is a portmanteau of web and seminar. While a traditional seminar brings together small groups of students to study and discuss subjects in depth, a webinar attempts the same thing via the web. To attend a webinar, you need a computer (or a smartphone or tablet), and an internet connection. Otherwise, it works much the same way, with opportunities to ask questions give comments, and join discussions.

Example Sentences

“An extended hold would probably be enough restrictiveness to deal with the situation,” Taylor said in a webinar hosted by MNI.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

However, Wells participated in a CBP webinar last week, so she knew how to create a properly formatted file herself, and quickly made her submission on Monday morning.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

More than 300 schools attended an EA webinar on Tuesday to advise them on what steps to take, but the EA said that there was no evidence that teachers' or students' data had been compromised.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

"Russia can make a lot of money because it's given a pass," she added during a webinar.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

At the webinar, school officials said two buildings near the outdoor pool have not yet been cleared through environmental testing and will remain closed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026