symposium

noun

sym·po·sium | \ sim-ˈpō-zē-əm also -zh(ē-)əm

plural symposia\ -zē-ə

, -zh(ē-)ə \ or symposiums

Definition of symposium

1a : a convivial party (as after a banquet in ancient Greece) with music and conversation

b : a social gathering at which there is free interchange of ideas

2a : a formal meeting at which several specialists deliver short addresses on a topic or on related topics — compare colloquium

b : a collection of opinions on a subject especially : one published by a periodical

c : discussion

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about symposium

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Did You Know?

It was drinking more than thinking that drew people to the original symposia and that gave us the word symposium. The ancient Greeks would often follow a banquet with a drinking party they called a "symposion." That name came from "sympinein," a verb that combines pinein, meaning "to drink," with the prefix syn-, meaning "together." Originally, English speakers only used "symposium" to refer to such an ancient Greek party, but in the 18th century British gentlemen's clubs started using the word for gatherings in which intellectual conversation was fueled by drinking. By the 19th century, "symposium" had gained the more sober sense we know today, describing meetings in which the focus is more on the exchange of ideas and less on imbibing.

Examples of symposium in a Sentence

Professors and graduate students attended the symposium. recently attended a daylong symposium on new methods of chromatography

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a big deal, and will be celebrated as such — with exhibitions in this idyllic city and elsewhere, symposiums, and opera, concert and drama productions elaborate enough to require a bump in the already generous budget. — Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, "Nearly 100, the Salzburg Festival Doesn’t Wait to Celebrate," 16 Aug. 2019 Griffin spoke to the symposium Wednesday night and opened the floor to questions from the defense and missile industry figures in attendance. — Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, "What industry insiders asked a top U.S. defense official," 8 Aug. 2019 Atiyah helped to end a period of estrangement between physics and math, which Freeman Dyson (who at 95 is safely referred to as a living legend) talked about at the symposium. — Steve Mirsky, Scientific American, "A New Book Examines the Relationship between Math and Physics," 3 Aug. 2019 The symposium acknowledges people who have made significant contributions in promoting biliteracy -- proficiency in English and a second language -- for county students. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, "County educators, staff honored at biliteracy symposium," 23 July 2019 This free, two-day event offers workshops, symposiums, receptions and networking opportunities July 15-16 at the Indiana Convention Center. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "Everything you need to know about Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration in Indianapolis," 10 July 2019 But Tigerman achieved his greatest influence by organizing exhibitions and symposiums, writing books, teaching and delivering provocative messages via words and images. — Blair Kamin, chicagotribune.com, "Iconoclastic Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman, who shaped the city with his buildings and ideas, dies at 88," 4 June 2019 Last year, confederation president Ahmad Ahmad, in a speech at the CAF women's football symposium, said the organization would prioritize women's competitions and support local federations in managing women's teams. — Aisha Salaudeen, CNN, "African female footballers face uphill battle to play a 'man's game'," 20 June 2019 The Birth of Chaos In the fall of 2017, the geophysicist Daniel Rothman, co-director of MIT’s Lorenz Center, was preparing for an upcoming symposium. — Quanta Magazine, "The Hidden Heroines of Chaos," 20 May 2019

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

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More Definitions for symposium

symposium

noun

English Language Learners Definition of symposium

formal

: a formal meeting at which experts discuss a particular topic

: a collection of articles on a particular subject

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

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symposium

Definition of symposium

Synonyms for symposium

Did You Know?

Examples of symposium in a Sentence

First Known Use of symposium

History and Etymology for symposium

English Language Learners Definition of symposium

symposium

Definition of symposium

Synonyms for symposium

Did You Know?

Examples of symposium in a Sentence

First Known Use of symposium

History and Etymology for symposium

English Language Learners Definition of symposium

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