convene
kuhn-VEEN
/kənˈviːn/
To call people together for a meeting; to assemble.
Convene implies a formal gathering, often for a specific purpose or by an authority.
The story behind the word. The word 'convene' comes from the Latin `convenire`, a combination of `con-` (meaning 'with' or 'together') and `venire` (meaning 'to come'). So, to convene literally means 'to come together.' This perfectly captures the essence of calling people to assemble for a common purpose, often in a formal setting.
Word relationships
- assemble: Can be more general, referring to people coming together without a formal call.
- gather: Less formal than convene.
- summon: Implies a command or strong request for attendance.
- adjourn: To end a meeting.
- disperse: To scatter or go in different directions.
Word family
- convention (noun): a large formal meeting or assembly
Collocations
- convene a meeting
- convene a committee
- convene a session
- convene for a discussion
Example sentences
- "The President decided to `convene` an emergency session of the Security Council to address the escalating crisis." The committee will convene to discuss the new policy.
- "We will `convene` next Tuesday at 10 AM to finalize the budget proposal." The board convenes quarterly to review company performance.
Memory hook
To 'CONVENE' is to 'COME together' (CON-VENIRE). Come together
When not to use
Less appropriate for informal get-togethers or casual gatherings; use 'meet' or 'gather' instead.
Fun facts
- The word 'convention' (as in a political convention or a comic book convention) shares the same root, referring to a large gathering of people.
- In parliamentary procedure, a meeting is 'convened' at its scheduled start time.
Related words
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