symposium

[sim-poh-zee-uhm]

noun

plural

symposiums, symposia 

1. a meeting or conference for the discussion of some subject, especially a meeting at which several speakers talk on or discuss a topic before an audience.

2. a collection of opinions expressed or articles contributed by several persons on a given subject or topic.

3. an account of a discussion meeting or of the conversation at it.

4. (in ancient Greece and Rome) a convivial meeting, usually following a dinner, for drinking and intellectual conversation.

5. (initial capital letter, italics),  a philosophical dialogue (4th century b.c.) by Plato, dealing with ideal love and the vision of absolute beauty.

symposium

/ sɪmˈpəʊzɪəm /

noun

1. a conference or meeting for the discussion of some subject, esp an academic topic or social problem

2. a collection of scholarly contributions, usually published together, on a given subject

3. (in classical Greece) a drinking party with intellectual conversation, music, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of symposium¹

1580–90; < Latin < Greek sympósion drinking party, equivalent to sym- sym- + po- (variant stem of pī́nein to drink) + -sion noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of symposium¹

C16: via Latin from Greek sumposion, from sumpinein to drink together, from sum- _syn- + pinein to drink

Example Sentences

A recent symposium at the American Enterprise Institute, where scholars shared research on the problem of widespread absenteeism, offered insights into the nationwide issue.

From Los Angeles Times

The trip kicked off in the Maldives, where Logan went for a three-day symposium on electoral affairs.

From Los Angeles Times

They went to conferences and symposiums, where Jean spoke on the magic and the poetry of baseball.

From Los Angeles Times

In May, I attended one of their events — supposedly a symposium, definitely a cocktail party and perhaps a fundraiser — at a home in Brentwood.

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts agree that the fact he's back in the spotlight, at a symposium where Xi Jinping himself presided, is a very good sign for Mr Ma.

From BBC

Related Words

• convention 
• discussion 
• forum 
• meeting 
• panel discussion 
• round table 
• seminar