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forum

noun
fo·​rum | \ ˈfȯr-əm How to pronounce forum (audio) \
plural forums also fora\ ˈfȯr-​ə How to pronounce fora (audio) \

Definition of forum

1a : the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the center of judicial and public business
b : a public meeting place for open discussion The club provides a forum for people interested in local history.
c : a medium (such as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas
2 : a judicial body or assembly : court
3a : a public meeting or lecture involving audience discussion The town has scheduled a public forum to discuss the proposal.
b : a program (as on radio or television) involving discussion of a problem usually by several authorities
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about forum

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Examples of forum in a Sentence

Forums were held to determine how to handle the situation. The town has scheduled a public forum to discuss the proposal. The club provides a forum for people who share an interest in local history.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Details regarding the forum's start time have yet to be announced. — Renae Reints, Fortune, "MSNBC Climate Change Forum Will Give Voice to Democrats Denied the Debate Stage and One Republican," 2 Sep. 2019 The forums kick off on Tuesday with an event hosted by the North End Action Team at MAC650 Gallery. — Kathleen Mcwilliams, courant.com, "Three candidate forums scheduled ahead of Middletown Democratic primary," 30 Aug. 2019 The town hall forum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight in the first-floor auditorium at the Central Library, 600 Soledad St. Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. — Emilie Eaton, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio town hall to focus on public readiness for mass shootings," 29 Aug. 2019 The free public forum will be in Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main St. Doors will open at 11 a.m., videos will begin at 11:30 a.m., and the program will start at noon. — Ramona Sentinel, "Forum to address ‘Monetary System 101’," 29 Aug. 2019 Joining other national partners like One Iowa, The Gazette and The Advocate, GLAAD will be livestreaming the forum via their social media channels for viewers at home to see. — Stephen Daw, Billboard, "GLAAD Joins as National Partner for LGBTQ Presidential Forum in Iowa," 28 Aug. 2019 Just practically speaking, what would be the forum for that? — Matt Shapiro, National Review, "Conservatives Need More Than Courage," 28 Aug. 2019 Reservations are required for the breakfast and for an assured seat at the free forum. — La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada area events," 27 Aug. 2019 Other City Council candidates responded with shock during the forum on Thursday evening. — Mallory Simon, CNN, "She wanted to keep a Michigan city white. Now she's dropped her bid for office," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of forum

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for forum

Latin; akin to Latin foris outside, fores door — more at door

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More Definitions for forum

forum

noun
How to pronounce forum (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of forum

: a meeting at which a subject can be discussed
: a place or opportunity for discussing a subject
: a large public place in an ancient Roman city that was used as the center of business

See the full definition for forum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

forum

noun
fo·​rum | \ ˈfȯr-əm How to pronounce forum (audio) \

Kids Definition of forum

1 : the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city serving as the center for public business
2 : a place or opportunity for discussion

forum

noun
fo·​rum | \ ˈfō-rəm How to pronounce forum (audio) \

Legal Definition of forum

1 : public forum
2a : a judicial body or assembly : court allowed the defendant in a state court action to choose the federal forum by removing the case— M. H. Redish
b : the territorial jurisdiction of a court due process requires defendant to have minimum level of contacts with forum before personal jurisdiction may be exercised — National Law Journal

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