Conference

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈkÉ’nfəɹəns/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈkɑːnfəɹəns/

Origin

From Middle French conférence, from Medieval Latin conferentia, from Latin conferens.

Full definition of conference

Noun

1. The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
• ShakespeareNor with such free and friendly conference
  As he hath used of old.
2. (politics) A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.
3. (science) A formalized event where scientists present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.
4. (business) An event organized by a for-profit or non-profit organization to discuss a pressing issue, such as a new product, market trend or government regulation, with a range of speakers.
5. (sports) A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.
6. (obsolete) The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
• Hookerhelps and furtherances which ... the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford
7. (Methodist Church) A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
8. A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.

Derived terms

• conference table
• news conference
• press conference
• conference room

Verb

1. (transitive, education) To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination.
• 2009, Jennifer Berne, The Writing-Rich High School ClassroomThe students who were conferenced on paper 1 will get a written response to paper 2, and those who received a written response to paper 1 will be conferenced on paper 2.