Conferences: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used for large meetings of people who share a common interest, such as comics, anime, or politics. Conventions may involve various social activities, exhibitions, and presentations.

• Every summer, fans flock to the city's comic book convention.
• The political party's national convention will take place next month.

This term is reserved for meetings of high-level leaders or officials where critical issues and policies are discussed. Summits are often international and involve heads of state or executives.

• World leaders gathered for the climate change summit.
• The business summit focused on ways to improve global trade.

Symposia are typically academic or professional events where experts give presentations and discuss specific subjects in depth. They are more focused and scholarly compared to conferences.

• The university hosted a symposium on quantum computing.
• Scientists attended a symposium to discuss the latest findings in renewable energy.

A large formal meeting where people gather to discuss shared interests, often involving lectures, presentations, and networking opportunities.

• The annual medical conference attracted thousands of doctors from around the world.
• She gave a keynote address at the tech conference last month.

A formal meeting for discussing a specific subject, often academic or professional, and typically involving several experts presenting papers and engaging in discussions.

• The medical symposium focused on the latest advancements in cancer treatment.
• At the environmental symposium, experts debated climate change policies.

An academic meeting or seminar usually held by a university or institution, where specialists discuss a particular topic, often with a focus on discussion and Q&A.

• The university organized a colloquium on ancient civilizations.
• He presented his research at the physics colloquium.

An interactive, hands-on training session or meeting where participants actively engage in activities to learn new skills or techniques.

• They attended a writing workshop to improve their storytelling skills.
• The leadership workshop helped employees develop better team management techniques.