noun
symposium
sim-POH-zee-um/sɪmˈpəʊziəm/
A gathering of expert contributions on a shared topic.
The panelists exchange expert views on coral restoration during the symposium.
Etymology
“Drinking together” named a gathering where wine accompanied conversation and intellectual discussion. That discussion element, especially through Plato’s dialogue title, became central to the modern meaning of a meeting devoted to a subject.
In context
here today and are interested in engaging in basic thinking my mantra is there's nothing so practical as good theory. uh and I hope that uh tomorrow's discussion at the symposium we'll see the program on the back
More examples
- Engineers debate bridge safety at the annual symposium.
- The journal publishes a symposium on the ethics of gene editing.
- She presents her research at symposia across the country.
Forms
symposium · symposia · symposiums
Similar words
- conference
- Often covers several topics rather than one focused subject.
- seminar
- Usually emphasizes instruction and discussion in a smaller group.
- anthology
- Collects writings without necessarily sharing a scholarly topic.