Conference Meaning
/ˈkɒn.f(ə.)ɹəns/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
nounThe act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
Sentence Examples
During the press conference, the President touched on foreign relations.
Some of the company's executives are out of town for a conference.
He officially announced his intention to resign at today's press conference.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The international climate ____ will convene in Geneva next Monday.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Next week, she will attend an international medical ____ in Geneva to present her findings.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French conférence, from Medieval Latin cōnferentia, from Latin cōnferēns, omitting several steps, 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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Nor with such free and friendly conference / As he hath used of old."
— 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]:
"Mr. Wiley, a lawyer of some ability, was sitting in his office one day, when an elderly gentleman came in and asked to have a few words of conference with him."
— 1850, T. S. Arthur, “Seed Time and Harvest”, in Sketches of Life and Character, Philadelphia: J. W. Bradley, →OCLC, page 129:
"helps and furtherances which […] the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford"
— [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"“[…]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.[…]”"
— 1996, Kenneth R. Guindon, The King's Highway, Ignatius Press, →ISBN, page 114:
"She gave a conference each evening during the retreat while Fr Dubas gave two talks during the day."
— 2000, Phil Kilroy, Madeleine Sophie Barat, 1779-1865: A Life, Paulist Press, →ISBN, page 109:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The international climate ____ will convene in Geneva next Monday.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Next week, she will attend an international medical ____ in Geneva to present her findings.