conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

-fərn(t)s,

 for sense 2 usually  kən-ˈfər-ən(t)s

1

a

: a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern

The president is in conference with his advisers.

b

: a usually formal interchange of views : consultation

a conference on climate change

c

: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences

d

: caucus

2

or less commonly conferrence

kən-ˈfər-ən(t)s 

: bestowal, conferment

the conference of academic degrees

3

a

: a representative assembly or administrative organization of a religious denomination

b

: a territorial division of a religious denomination

4

: an association of athletic teams

a football conference

conferential

ˌkän-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• assemblage
• assembly
• congregation
• convocation
• gathering
• ingathering
• meeting
• muster

Examples of conference in a Sentence

The organization held its annual conference in New York this year.

national conferences on women's health

a conference of foreign ministers

Our boss called a conference to discuss the new changes.

He spent an hour in conference with the president.

the champions of the American Football Conference

Recent Examples on the Web

Attending a conference like this is worthwhile (Disclaimer: Epicor is a client of my company. —Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

It is believed that the only reason Michigan backed down from its legal threat is because the Big Ten agreed to close down its investigation and no longer pursue further penalties (including banning the Wolverines from representing the conference in the College Football Playoff). —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025

Before and after games, opposing players and coaches are seen chatting as friends – a bond built not only through the conference, but with many of them playing club volleyball together. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025

Female student-athlete speaks out against school district's conference switch to accommodate trans athletes California high school student-athlete Anna Holly speaks out against her district's decision to switch to a sports conference that allows trans athletes to compete in girls' sports. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French and Medieval Latin; Middle French conference, borrowed from Medieval Latin conferentia "contribution, discussion," noun derivative from conferent-, conferens, present participle of conferre "to bring or take, convey, bring together" — more at confer

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing conference

• conference call
• news conference
• press conference

Kids Definition

conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

-fərn(t)s

1

: a meeting for discussion or exchange of opinions

also : the discussion itself

2

: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to settle differences

3

: an association of athletic teams

a football conference

Legal Definition

conference

noun

con·​fer·​ence ˈkän-frəns, -fə-rəns 

1

: a meeting for consultation, deliberation, discussion, or interchange of opinions

a conference on environmental law

see also judicial conference, pretrial conference

2

: a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature especially to adjust differences in the provisions of a bill passed in different forms by the two branches

also : conference committee

3

: caucus