conference
conference — 名詞
1. a large gathering, often lasting several days, where people who share a professi
研討會；大會
針對特定主題、為期數天的大型專業集會
a large gathering, often lasting several days, where people who share a profession or interest attend talks, workshops, and discussions focused on a chosen theme
Christopher flew to Singapore for a three-day conference on renewable energy.
Christopher 飛往新加坡，參加一場為期三天的再生能源研討會。
conference + on + topic
The hospital sent two nurses to a medical conference in Taipei last month.
醫院上個月派了兩名護理師去台北參加一場醫學會議。
Indra registered for the annual education conference to book a room near the venue.
Indra 報名了年度教育研討會，以便預訂會場附近的房間。
Over four hundred researchers attended the international climate conference in Nairobi.
超過四百名研究人員參加了在奈洛比舉行的國際氣候會議。
Hyun took detailed notes during the morning sessions of the tech conference.
Hyun 在科技研討會的早上場次中仔細做了筆記。
- convention
larger, often annual gathering of an organisation or industry
- symposium
more academic and research-focused, typically smaller
- summit
high-level meeting of leaders, usually in politics or business
- seminar
shorter teaching-oriented session rather than a multi-day event
文法句型
conference + on/about + topic
用法筆記
This sense usually refers to a multi-day event, not a short office meeting. Common verbs are 'hold', 'attend', 'organise', and 'go to'. The preposition 'on' introduces the topic ('a conference on climate change').
常見錯誤
2. a formal meeting in which two or more people discuss important matters; the acti
會談；商討
正式討論重要事務的過程或場合
a formal meeting in which two or more people discuss important matters; the activity of being in such a discussion — for example, managers conferring about budgets, or lawyers negotiating a deal
Noor is in conference with the school principal and will call you back later.
Noor 正在和校長進行會談，稍後會回電給你。
in conference (with) — fixed expression
The lawyers held a conference with the client before the trial began.
律師們在開庭前與當事人進行了一次會談。
hold a conference with [person]
Imran and his co-author had several conferences to finalise the structure of their paper.
Imran 和合著者開了幾次會，才敲定論文的架構。
Please do not disturb the director while she is in conference.
主任正在商討事情，請不要打擾她。
The union representatives requested a conference with management to discuss working conditions.
工會代表要求與管理階層會談，討論工作條件。
- consultation
implies seeking advice or expert opinion
- discussion
less formal and covers any exchange of views
- deliberation
suggests careful, lengthy consideration
文法句型
in conference (with)
have/hold a conference (with)
用法筆記
The uncountable use ('in conference') is fixed: no article is used. The countable use ('a conference with someone') often refers to a specific discussion meeting. This sense is more formal than the everyday word 'meeting'.
常見錯誤
3. one of the groups into which a large sports league divides its teams for organis
分區；賽區
職業運動聯盟中相互比賽的隊伍組合
one of the groups into which a large sports league divides its teams for organised competition — for example, the Eastern and Western conferences in the NBA
Théo's team finished at the top of the Eastern Conference this season.
Théo 的球隊本季在東區分組排名第一。
Conference capitalised as part of a proper name
The Southeastern Conference has produced some of the strongest college football teams in the country.
東南分區培養出這個國家一些實力最強的大學美式足球隊。
Megan follows the Western Conference games more closely than the Eastern ones.
Megan 看西區分組的比賽比東區的還要認真。
Two conferences in the basketball league each send their best team to the finals.
這個籃球聯盟的兩個分區各自派出最好的隊伍參加總決賽。
Anya won the conference championship title two years in a row with her volleyball team.
Anya 和她的排球隊連續兩年贏得分區冠軍。
文法句型
the + [adjective] + Conference
Conference + [noun]
用法筆記
In US professional sports, teams are divided into conferences (e.g. Eastern / Western) that are further split into divisions. The word is capitalised when it is part of a proper name (e.g. 'the Pacific Conference'). In British English, the term 'division' is more common.