A large formal meeting of people with a shared interest, such as a profession or hobby. It also means a usual way of doing things that most people in a group accept and follow.
From Latin *conventio* 'assembly, agreement', from *convenire* 'to come together'. Over time it came to describe both gatherings and the 'agreed ways' a society follows.
When people talk about 'breaking convention,' they mean ignoring the unwritten rules everyone else quietly follows. Comic-Con and political conventions both show the original idea: people physically coming together around a shared focus. Even grammar rules and dress codes are social conventions, not laws of nature.
'Convention' includes social norms and professional gatherings that historically excluded or marginalized women and gender minorities. Many conventions—both norms and events—were structured around male participation and leadership.
Use neutrally, but when discussing 'conventions' (social or professional), note who has been included or excluded and avoid assuming an all-male default.
["norm","custom","conference","gathering"]
Women’s organizing at and around conventions—political, scientific, and social—has been crucial in expanding rights and reshaping professional norms.
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