convene

verb

con·​vene kən-ˈvēn 

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

kən-ˈvē-nər 

Synonyms

• assemble
• call
• convoke
• muster
• summon

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

Not everyone can convene the likes of Larry Fink, Christine Lagarde, and Jamie Dimon. —Ayesha Javed, TIME, 27 Oct. 2024

As a major airline tests a new enforcement technology, our editors convene to debate boarding etiquette. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024

Then the secretary of state will convene the Electoral College to cast votes on Dec. 17 so that the new Congress can meet Jan. 6 to count every state’s electoral votes. —Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Universal language to narrow that gap is missing, so Walmart, in collaboration with the Burning Glass Institute, earlier this year convened a working group of human resources professionals from various companies to create a common denominator. —Worth Sparkman, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

convene

verb

con·​vene kən-ˈvēn 

convened; convening

1

: to come together in a group : assemble

2

: to cause to convene : call together

convened a meeting