What does "conference" mean?
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Conference
/ˈkɒnf(ə)ɹəns/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
- Grammar: conference is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: academic event, advisory body, airing, analysis.
- Useful contrasts: casual gathering, informal meeting.
- Usage evidence: During the press conference, the President touched on foreign relations.
How to use "conference"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "conference" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "conference" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "conference" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "conference" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "conference" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "academic event" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "conference", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
"Nor with such free and friendly conference / As he hath used of old."
- 2 An autumn cultivar of the European pear Pyrus communis.
- 3 a discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic wordnet
- 4 The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison. obsolete
"helps and furtherances which […] the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford"
- 5 an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members wordnet
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.
- 7 a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda) wordnet
- 8 A formal event where scientists or other scholars present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.
- 9 An event organized by a for-profit or non-profit organization to discuss a pressing issue, such as a new product, market trend or government regulation, with a range of speakers.
- 10 A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.
- 11 A constituent tournament of a sports league in a given season. Philippines
- 12 A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
- 13 A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
- 14 A talk or lecture, (Catholicism) especially when given as part of a retreat.
"“[…]But I do know of a man who is an expert on the topic. In fact, he gave a conference here in our church not very long ago.[…]”"
Verb
- 1 To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination. ambitransitive
"The students who were conferenced on paper 1 will get a written response to paper 2, and those who received a written response to paper 1 will be conferenced on paper 2."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
casual gatheringinformal meeting
Example
"During the press conference, the President touched on foreign relations."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "conference"?
Common synonyms include: academic event, advisory body, airing, analysis, archbishopric, archdiocese.
How do you use "conference" in a sentence?
During the press conference, the President touched on foreign relations.
How do you pronounce "conference"?
Pronounced /ˈkɒnf(ə)ɹəns/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle French conférence, from Medieval Latin cōnferentia, from Latin cōnferēns, several steps omitting from con- + ferō. Compare parallel Russian собра́ние (sobránije), Russian сбо́рище (sbórišče), akin to с- (s-), со- (so-) + брать (bratʹ), ultimately from the same Indo-European prefix and root. Also compare congress, convention.
Etymology 2
After the National British Pear Conference in London in 1885, at which this cultivar won the first prize.