convene

verb

con·​vene kən-ˈvēn How to pronounce convene (audio)
convened; convening

intransitive verb

: to come together in a body
We convened at the hotel for a seminar.

transitive verb

1
: to summon before a tribunal
2
: to cause to assemble
A world council was convened in Paris.
convener noun
or convenor
Choose the Right Synonym for convene

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of.

summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

Examples of convene in a Sentence

We convened at the hotel for a seminar. This class convenes twice a week. A panel of investigators was convened by the president to review the case.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Netanyahu will convene a ministerial team on Saturday night to discuss the hostages situation, receive a detailed report from the Israeli negotiating team, and decide on next steps, the prime minister's office said. Barak Ravid, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 The Prime Minister will convene the ministerial team on Saturday night to receive a detailed report from the negotiating team, and to decide on the next steps for the release of the hostages. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025 The following evening, the Royal Society convened a meeting to discuss the matter. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 Prince Edward and his wife Sophie weren't at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey March 10, where King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate and more working royals convened in full force. Janine Henni, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin convenire, from Latin, to assemble — more at convenient

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of convene was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convene. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

convene

verb
con·​vene kən-ˈvēn How to pronounce convene (audio)
convened; convening
1
: to come together in a group : assemble
2
: to cause to convene : call together
convened a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on convene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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