convention
convention — noun
1. A gathering of many people who share the same profession, political party, or in
A gathering of many people who share the same profession, political party, or interest, held regularly to discuss shared concerns and make decisions.
Talia attended the annual teachers' convention in Chicago to learn about new classroom methods.
annual + [profession]'s convention
The party will hold its national convention in July to choose the next presidential candidate.
national convention for political candidate selection
Over five thousand librarians gathered at the convention center for this year's conference.
Reuben spoke at a medical convention about his team's latest discoveries in cancer research.
- conference
Often smaller or more focused on discussion; less emphasis on regular repetition
- assembly
More general term; may be less formal and not necessarily annual
- gathering
Less formal and less structured than a convention
文法句型
convention + of + [people/profession]
convention + for + [purpose]
用法筆記
Frequently modified by a profession or group name (teachers' convention, medical convention, party convention). Often preceded by annual, national, or international.
常見錯誤
2. An event where enthusiasts of a particular television show, film, book, game, or
An event where enthusiasts of a particular television show, film, book, game, or related interest come together to celebrate it, buy merchandise, and often meet people involved in its creation.
Feng spent the whole weekend at the anime convention dressed as his favorite character.
[genre] convention + dressed as character
The Star Wars convention in Tokyo attracted fans from all over East Asia.
Putri met the voice actor of her favourite cartoon character at the comic convention.
Thousands of gamers queued up outside the convention hall before the doors opened at nine.
- expo
More product- and business-oriented; less emphasis on fan community
- fan meet-up
Smaller and less organized than a convention
文法句型
[genre/media] + convention
用法筆記
Commonly preceded by the name of the franchise, genre, or medium (comic convention, anime convention, gaming convention). Contrast with sense 1 — this sense is hobby- and fan-oriented rather than professional or political.
常見錯誤
3. An accepted and expected way of behaving within a community, usually followed wi
An accepted and expected way of behaving within a community, usually followed without conscious thought because it has long been considered normal or polite.
It is a social convention to shake hands when you meet someone for the first time in many Western countries.
it is a [social] convention to + [verb]
Tanvi found it difficult to adjust to the local conventions when she moved to a new country for work.
The convention of wearing a suit and tie to business meetings is becoming less common in some industries.
By convention, the oldest member of the committee sits at the head of the table.
- custom
More specific to a particular group or place; may be stronger or more formal
- tradition
Implies longer history and stronger emotional or cultural value
- norm
Describes what is statistically average or typical, not necessarily a rule
- etiquette
Specifically about polite or correct behavior in formal settings
- rebellion
Active rejection of social conventions
- innovation
New way of doing things that breaks from convention
文法句型
it is a convention to + [verb]
[social] convention of + [verb]-ing
by convention
用法筆記
Often refers to unwritten social expectations rather than legal requirements. Distinguish from sense 5, where convention means a written, legally binding agreement between states.
常見錯誤
4. A widely used technique, style, or way of representing something in a particular
A widely used technique, style, or way of representing something in a particular form of art, literature, theatre, or film that most creators in that tradition follow.
In medieval paintings, the convention of showing holy figures with a golden halo was very common.
convention of + [verb]-ing in art
The director broke the convention of having a happy ending and let the film finish on a sad note.
Using a chorus to comment on the action is a convention that dates back to ancient Greek plays.
Élise challenged the convention of this genre by setting her novel in a futuristic desert instead of a city.
- innovation
A new technique that departs from established conventions
文法句型
[artistic/literary] convention
convention of + [verb]-ing
用法筆記
Restricted to discussions of artistic and literary traditions. Contrast with sense 3 — this sense is domain-specific and refers to how things are represented, not how people behave in daily life.
常見錯誤
5. A written agreement signed by several nations or governments that establishes ru
A written agreement signed by several nations or governments that establishes rules or standards on a matter of shared concern, such as human rights, trade, or the environment.
The Geneva Convention sets international standards for the treatment of prisoners during wartime.
The [Name] Convention sets standards for [topic]
More than one hundred nations have signed the international convention on climate change.
sign a convention on [topic]
Tyler argued that the new trade convention would benefit both economies in the long run.
The convention on children's rights has been ratified by almost every country in the world.
- treaty
Often bilateral and more specific; not always multilateral like a convention
- pact
Slightly less formal; can be between smaller groups or for limited purposes
- accord
Emphasises harmony and mutual benefit; may be broader in scope
- protocol
A supplementary agreement to an existing convention, often more technical
文法句型
convention on + [topic]
convention + between + [nations]
ratify/sign a convention
用法筆記
A written, legally binding agreement between states, often multilateral. Frequently capitalized as part of a proper name (the Geneva Convention, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea). Distinguish from sense 3, which refers to unwritten social customs.