What does convention mean?
A convention is an established practice or accepted standard that guides how people behave within a society, organization, or field of activity. Social conventions include customs like greeting others politely; professional conventions govern how work is done in law, science, or publishing; and artistic conventions are familiar devices that creators and audiences tacitly agree upon. The word also names a large formal gathering — most famously a political party convention, where delegates meet to nominate candidates and set policy — as well as formal international agreements between states, such as the Geneva Conventions. Convention sits comfortably between 'rule' and 'habit': unlike a law, it is not usually enforced by punishment, yet unlike a mere whim, it carries real social weight, and departing from it can invite criticism or praise for boldness. Its adjective form, conventional, describes things that follow accepted norms rather than breaking new ground.
nounA convention is an established custom, practice, or accepted way of doing things within a group or society. It also refers to a large formal assembly of people, such as a political party's delegates or members of a profession, who meet to discuss shared interests.
- An established custom, practice, or accepted standard of behavior within a society, group, or field.
- A large formal meeting or assembly, especially of a political party, professional body, or enthusiasts, held to discuss matters of common interest.
- An agreement between states or organizations on a particular matter, often recorded in an international treaty.
- (Literature and art) A widely used device, style, or technique that audiences accept as part of a genre.
"Shaking hands as a greeting is a social convention that varies across cultures."
"It is a long-standing convention in journalism to attribute anonymous sources only when the information cannot be obtained elsewhere."
"Thousands of delegates gathered at the national convention to formally nominate the party's candidate."
Used when discussing multiple distinct customs, practices, gatherings, or formal agreements.
"The Geneva Conventions set out rules for the humane treatment of prisoners of war."
Every time you shake someone's hand, you're following a convention — one so old that nobody remembers who decided it first.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of convention
Convention comes from the Latin verb convenire, meaning 'to come together' or 'to agree', formed from com- ('together') and venire ('to come'). It entered English via Old French in the late medieval period, initially carrying senses related to assembling and agreement, before developing its modern meanings around established custom and formal meetings. The same Latin root underlies cognates such as convene, convenient, and convent.
Related word forms
How convention is actually used
Convention carries a mildly neutral-to-conservative connotation: adherence to convention suggests respectability and order, while 'breaking with convention' implies boldness or originality. The word is common in formal writing about politics, diplomacy, and the arts. The sense referring to international agreements (e.g., 'the Geneva Conventions') is more frequent in legal and diplomatic contexts.
Easily confused with convention
Conviction means a firmly held belief or a criminal judgment, while convention refers to an accepted practice or a formal gathering.
Conversation is spoken exchange between people, whereas convention is an established custom or a formal meeting.