convocation
convocation — noun
- convocationsingular
- convocationsplural
1. a serious official gathering, often for church leaders or for people connected w
a serious official gathering, often for church leaders or for people connected with a school or university
Gabriel opened the annual convocation by welcoming teachers, priests, and guests.
open a convocation — begin a formal gathering
The convocation moved to the chapel after the morning reports ended.
Parents watched from the back while the college convocation discussed new rules.
The bishop spoke at the convocation before the final vote was taken.
at the convocation — during the official meeting
- annual convocation
- open a convocation
- speak at a convocation
Grammar Patterns
hold a convocation
speak at a convocation
Usage Note
Often names the official meeting itself rather than the people attending it. In church or university settings, it sounds more formal than meeting or assembly.
2. a university or college event where students are officially given their degrees,
a university or college event where students are officially given their degrees, especially in Canada and at some US schools
Convocation opened in the sports hall as Beatrix waved to her family.
convocation — a degree ceremony at a university
The spring convocation began late because buses got stuck in traffic.
Christopher reached convocation an hour early to fix his gown.
Convocation ended with cheers when Jin crossed the stage.
cross the stage at convocation — receive a degree publicly
- spring convocation
- attend convocation
- cross the stage at convocation
Grammar Patterns
attend convocation
spring convocation
Usage Note
Mainly used in Canada and at some North American universities. In many other places, graduation or commencement is the more usual term.
3. a university-wide group, used in some countries, that speaks for the whole insti
a university-wide group, used in some countries, that speaks for the whole institution and meets to make official decisions
The convocation voted to create a student seat on the senate.
convocation voted to — a decision-making university body
Faculty members asked convocation to review the plan before summer.
At Oxford, convocation once had the power to approve major changes.
A notice told alumni when convocation would meet in the main hall.
convocation would meet — the representative university body
- convocation vote
- convocation would meet
- ask convocation to review
Grammar Patterns
convocation voted to [verb]
convocation would meet
Usage Note
Names the representative body, not a ceremony. Distinguish from sense 2, which is a degree event, and from sense 6, which names the act of summoning people.
4. a meeting in one diocese where clergy and lay church representatives discuss chu
a meeting in one diocese where clergy and lay church representatives discuss church matters
Parish leaders met at the convocation to plan next year's youth camp.
at the convocation — a diocesan church meeting
Vivek presented the budget during the diocesan convocation on Saturday.
Each church sent two lay members to the regional convocation.
The bishop used the convocation to hear concerns from small parishes.
use the convocation to hear concerns — church representatives meeting
- diocesan convocation
- regional convocation
- attend the convocation
Grammar Patterns
at the convocation
diocesan convocation
Usage Note
Usually includes clergy together with lay delegates from one diocese. Distinguish from sense 5, which refers to an older Church of England body linked to Canterbury or York.
5. in older Church of England use, a gathering of bishops and clergy from the Cante
in older Church of England use, a gathering of bishops and clergy from the Canterbury side or the York side of the church
Historians say the Convocation of Canterbury once debated church law.
Convocation of Canterbury — historic Church of England body
The king asked convocation to support the new prayer book.
A museum label explained how convocation represented clergy from York.
The guide compared convocation with Parliament during the Tudor period.
compare convocation with Parliament — historic national church institution
- Convocation of Canterbury
- Convocation of York
- support the prayer book
Grammar Patterns
Convocation of Canterbury
Convocation of York
Usage Note
This is a historical Church of England term rather than a local diocesan meeting. It often appears in names such as the Convocation of Canterbury or the Convocation of York.
6. the process of officially calling people together for this kind of meeting
the process of officially calling people together for this kind of meeting
The convocation of village elders took weeks of letters and phone calls.
the convocation of [group] — the act of summoning people
Staff handled the convocation of the emergency board before sunrise.
Delays in the convocation of the council worried the mayor.
A court order blocked the convocation of party delegates that month.
block the convocation of [group] — stop the formal summoning
- convocation of the council
- delay the convocation
- block the convocation
Grammar Patterns
the convocation of [group]
delay the convocation of [group]
Usage Note
Usually appears in phrases naming who is being summoned, such as the convocation of the council. It focuses on arranging the gathering, not on the meeting once it starts.
Common collocations
Nouns
- annual convocation
- university convocation
- church convocation
Phrases
- hold a convocation
- address the convocation
- attend convocation
Prepositions
- at a convocation
Etymology
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a