B2 adjective Formal

convene

/kənˈviːn/

To come together or to call people together for a formal meeting, assembly, or session. It is often used when a group of people with a shared purpose gather by an official order or arrangement.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The neighborhood watch decided to convene at the park to discuss the recent safety concerns.

The neighborhood watch decided to gather at the park to discuss the recent safety concerns.

2

The Chief Justice will convene the court at 9:00 AM sharp to hear the opening arguments.

The Chief Justice will call the court to order at 9:00 AM sharp to hear the opening arguments.

3

Let's convene in the kitchen in ten minutes to figure out what we're ordering for dinner.

Let's meet in the kitchen in ten minutes to figure out what we're ordering for dinner.

Word Family

Noun
convention
Verb
convene
Adjective
convened
Related
convener
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Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Con-' (together) + '-vene' (to come, like in 'avenue'). It literally means 'to come together.'

Quick Quiz

The chairman has the authority to _______ a special session of the board if an emergency arises.

Correct!

The correct answer is: convene

Examples

1

The neighborhood watch decided to convene at the park to discuss the recent safety concerns.

everyday

The neighborhood watch decided to gather at the park to discuss the recent safety concerns.

2

The Chief Justice will convene the court at 9:00 AM sharp to hear the opening arguments.

formal

The Chief Justice will call the court to order at 9:00 AM sharp to hear the opening arguments.

3

Let's convene in the kitchen in ten minutes to figure out what we're ordering for dinner.

informal

Let's meet in the kitchen in ten minutes to figure out what we're ordering for dinner.

4

The international committee will convene annually to evaluate the progress of the climate treaty.

academic

The international committee will meet annually to evaluate the progress of the climate treaty.

5

The board of directors is scheduled to convene this Friday to approve the merger.

business

The board of directors is scheduled to meet this Friday to approve the merger.

Word Family

Noun
convention
Verb
convene
Adjective
convened
Related
convener

Common Collocations

convene a meeting to call or hold a meeting
convene a session to start a formal period of activity
convene a panel to bring together a group of experts
scheduled to convene planned to meet at a specific time
power to convene the authority to call people together

Common Phrases

re-convene

to meet again after a break

duly convened

properly and officially called together

fail to convene

to be unable to gather a necessary group

Often Confused With

convene vs convince

Convince means to persuade someone, whereas convene means to gather people together.

convene vs convey

Convey means to transport or communicate something, while convene refers to assembly.

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Usage Notes

Convene is more formal than 'meet' or 'gather.' It is typically used for official groups like committees, courts, or boards rather than casual social outings.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'convene' for a single person arriving somewhere. Remember that it implies a group coming together or someone calling a group together.

💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Con-' (together) + '-vene' (to come, like in 'avenue'). It literally means 'to come together.'

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Word Origin

From the Latin 'convenire', meaning to come together, assemble, or agree.

Grammar Patterns

Transitive: convene [something] (e.g., convene a meeting) Intransitive: [subject] convenes (e.g., the committee convened at noon) Usually takes an object that refers to a group or an event.
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Cultural Context

Often heard in news reports regarding government sessions or high-level international summits like the UN General Assembly.

Quick Quiz

The chairman has the authority to _______ a special session of the board if an emergency arises.

Correct!

The correct answer is: convene

Related Words

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B2

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bitterly

B2

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bivalve

B2

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B2

In a very strange or unusual manner that is often difficult to explain or expect. It is used to describe actions, appearances, or situations that deviate significantly from what is considered normal.

blackberry

B2

To go out and gather wild blackberries from bushes, typically during late summer or early autumn. It describes the specific recreational or foraging activity of picking these berries in nature.

blackcurrant

B2

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blackhead

B2

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blackmail

B2

To demand money, favors, or specific actions from someone by threatening to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about them. It involves using a person's secrets or weaknesses as a way to coerce them into compliance.

blackness

B2

The state, quality, or condition of being black or completely dark. In academic and sociological contexts, it often refers to the historical, cultural, and social identity associated with people of African descent.

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