# conference

Pronunciation: say "KON-fuh-ruhns" US /ˈkɑnf(ə)ɹəns/, UK /ˈkɒnf(ə)ɹəns/

## Noun

1. A large formal event, often lasting several days, where people from one field or industry hear talks and discuss a shared subject.
   - Simple: A big formal event where people from the same field or business meet to listen to talks and share ideas.
   - _The annual genetics conference drew researchers from forty countries._
   - _At the conference, three teams presented competing results on the same protein._
2. A formal meeting at which people, such as leaders or representatives of countries, discuss serious matters and exchange views.
   - Simple: A formal meeting where people, such as leaders of countries, talk about serious matters and share their views.
   - _The two leaders held a lengthy conference to settle the dispute._
   - _The doctors went into conference to agree on the best course of treatment._
3. A grouping of sports teams that compete against one another on a regular basis, usually within a larger league.
   - Simple: A group of sports teams that regularly play against each other in the same league.
   - _The university moved to a stronger conference to boost its football program._
   - _Both finalists came from the same conference in the western states._
5. In the Methodist Church, a regularly held meeting of preachers and lay members that has authority over church affairs.
   - Simple: A regular official meeting of Methodist preachers and members who decide church matters.
   - _The conference ordained six new ministers that spring._
   - _Delegates to the conference debated the wording of the new discipline._

## Verb

4. To hold or join a meeting or call, especially by phone or video, or to bring another person into the call. *(US)*
   - Simple: To have or join a meeting or call, often by phone or video, or to add someone to it.
   - _The two lawyers conferenced by video for an hour before the hearing._
   - _Can you conference the client in once we've gone over the budget?_

## Noun

6. The setting of two or more things side by side in order to compare them. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The act of comparing two or more things to see how they are alike or different.

## Other meanings

- (verb) To meet one-on-one with a student to discuss and assess their work, in place of written comments or a test.
- (noun) One of the component tournaments into which a sports league divides a single season.
- (noun) A voluntary union of the Congregational churches of a district, or the district that such churches cover.

## Origin

From Middle French conférence, from Medieval Latin cōnferentia, ultimately from Latin cōnferēns, based on con- ('together') plus ferō ('bring'); compare congress and convention.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/conference (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).