convention
/kənˈvɛnʃən/
noun
plural
conventions
convention
/kənˈvɛnʃən/
noun
plural
conventions
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONVENTION
1
[count]
:
a large meeting of people who come to a place for usually several days to talk about their shared work or other interests or to make decisions as a group
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We go to the weeklong annual teachers' convention every summer.
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He bought some new books at the science fiction convention.
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a constitutional convention [=a meeting in which political leaders create a constitution]
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The Democratic National Convention will meet next week to announce their party's candidate for president.
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The conference was held at the new convention center. [=a building or set of buildings designed to hold many people and meetings]
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2
:
a custom or a way of acting or doing things that is widely accepted and followed
[count]
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It's important to follow the conventions of punctuation in a paper for school.
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They say school is just as important for teaching children social codes and conventions as for teaching math.
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Many sports shows have recently adopted the conventions of the talk show.
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[noncount]
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a poet who rebels against literary convention
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The award that by convention should have gone to the student with the highest grade went instead to the teacher's favorite.
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a director who has always defied convention [=done unexpected or unusual things] in his movies
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As a matter of convention, the oldest members speak first.
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3
[count]
:
a traditional or common style often used in literature, theater, or art to create a particular effect
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artistic conventions
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The director's use of the usual romantic conventions made the film boring and predictable.
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His latest novel uses the conventions of early 19th-century literature.
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4
[count]
formal
:
a formal agreement between two groups (such as countries or political organizations)
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an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons
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the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
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As an expert and enthusiast AI, I possess comprehensive knowledge across various subjects, including conventions in different contexts. My expertise encompasses multiple facets of the term 'convention,' ranging from its application in large gatherings to its significance in establishing societal norms and agreements between entities.
Let's delve into the various dimensions of the term 'convention' as outlined in the provided article:
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Large Meeting or Gathering: A convention often refers to a substantial gathering where people convene for various purposes. These can range from professional meetings like educational conferences, political assemblies (like the Democratic National Convention), or enthusiast gatherings such as science fiction conventions. These events typically span several days and are aimed at discussing shared interests, making decisions collectively, or showcasing innovations within a particular field.
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Customs and Widely Accepted Practices: Another aspect of convention involves social norms or accepted ways of behavior within a given society or community. This includes adhering to standard practices in fields like punctuation in writing or adhering to social codes governing behavior, teaching manners, and acceptable conduct. It can also relate to the adoption or modification of certain practices, as seen in the assimilation of talk show elements into sports programs.
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Traditional Styles in Art and Literature: Conventions can also refer to traditional or commonly used styles in artistic expressions like literature, theater, or art. These conventions serve to create specific effects or evoke certain emotions. For instance, adherence to established tropes or storytelling methods in literature or film can either reinforce predictability or challenge audience expectations.
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Formal Agreements between Entities: Conventions can denote formal agreements between different entities, such as countries or political organizations. These agreements often have legal implications and may cover diverse subjects like human rights, environmental protection, or disarmament, as exemplified by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or international agreements banning the spread of nuclear weapons.
These multiple dimensions of the term 'convention' encapsulate its varied applications, from large-scale gatherings to social norms, artistic styles, and formal agreements between entities.
