convention
gb/kənvˈɛnʃən/ us/kənvˈɛnʃən/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
widely accepted custom or practice
A usual and accepted way of doing things in a group or society.
Usage pattern:
[someone] follows [a convention]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'convention' with 'conference'; 'convention' can mean a meeting, but its most common meaning is a general custom or practice.
Synonyms
custom (Refers to a traditional way of doing things, often specific to a culture.)
|
norm (Suggests an expected standard of behavior in a society.)
Antonyms
innovation (Represents a new way of doing things rather than following established patterns.)
Collocations
social convention
|traditional convention
|follow convention
|break convention
Themes
society
|culture
|etiquette
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- It’s a social convention to shake hands when greeting someone.
- The company follows the usual conventions for formal meetings.
- Wearing black at funerals is a long-standing convention in many countries.
Learner examples
- It is a convention to take off your shoes before entering the house.
- In my country, it is a convention to bow when you meet someone.
- Shaking hands is a common convention at work.
Noun
B1
event
2
large formal gathering or conference
A big meeting for people who have the same job or interest.
Usage pattern:
attend [a convention]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with 'custom' and use it incorrectly when talking about behavior rather than events.
Synonyms
conference (A formal meeting, often smaller or more specialized than a large-scale convention.)
|
gathering (A more general term for people coming together, not necessarily formal.)
Antonyms
private meeting (A small, often informal meeting between few people instead of a large organized event.)
Collocations
annual convention
|political convention
|trade convention
|attend a convention
Themes
business
|events
|communication
Examples
- Thousands of fans attended the comic book convention.
- The political party held its national convention last week.
- She gave a speech at the annual teachers’ convention.
Learner examples
- I went to a science fiction convention last month.
- The company has a big convention every year.
- Many people come from other countries for the convention.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
3
formal treaty or agreement
An official agreement between countries or groups.
Usage pattern:
sign [a convention]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'conference', but here it refers to an agreement, not a meeting.
Synonyms
treaty (A formal and binding agreement between states, often broader in scope.)
|
pact (An agreement that may be less formal or shorter than a full treaty.)
Antonyms
violation (Breaking the terms of an agreement rather than making one.)
Collocations
international convention
|sign a convention
|UN convention
Themes
law
|politics
Examples
- The Geneva Conventions set the standards for humanitarian treatment in war.
- Several nations signed the climate change convention.
- The UN is working on a new convention to protect endangered species.
Learner examples
- Many countries signed the peace convention.
- The leaders met to make a new convention.
- The countries agreed to follow the rules of the convention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
convention
IPA
GB/kənvˈɛnʃən/
US/kənvˈɛnʃən/
Syllables & stress
con - ven - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ven)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: convention
- Plural: convention, conventions
Word family
Forms
conventions
noun
Core family
conventional
adjective B1
conventionally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unconventional
adjective B2
unconventionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
conventionality
noun
Expressions
by convention
1/bˈaɪ kənvˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
according to usual practice
In the way that is generally accepted or done by most people.
Examples
- By convention, the chairman speaks last.
- By convention, the bride stands to the left of the groom.
call a convention
1/kˈɔl ə kənvˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
arrange an official gathering
To arrange for an official large meeting of members of an organization or group.
Examples
- The party leaders decided to call a convention to discuss policy changes.
- They will call a convention next month to vote on the proposal.