1
: to summon before a tribunal
2
: to cause to assemble A world council was convened in Paris.Choose the Right Synonym for convene
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.
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.
Examples of convene in a SentenceWe 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. This group of cardinals will convene to choose the new pontiff. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 1 May 2025 Paramount Global, whose corporate ancestors CBS and Viacom hosted some of the most lavish bashes just a few years ago, now convenes a slate of smaller client dinners, including in L.A. and Chicago. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025 Trump to meet with cabinet today Trump will convene a Cabinet meeting at 11 a.m. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 Next week, central bank policy makers will convene for their May 6-7 meeting. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene Word HistoryEtymology
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 Cite this Entry“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convene. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 4 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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