Legal Definitions - convention

Definition: Convention refers to an agreement or a meeting of people who share a common objective or belong to the same organization. It can also refer to a generally accepted rule or practice.

• The Geneva Convention is an agreement among nations to protect the rights of prisoners of war.
• A constitutional convention is a special assembly elected to create or amend a constitution.
• The American Bar Association holds an annual convention for its members to discuss legal issues and network with each other.
• A political convention is a gathering of delegates who represent their respective states or organizations to nominate a candidate for an election.
• It is a convention to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time.

The examples illustrate how convention can refer to different types of agreements or meetings, such as international treaties, constitutional assemblies, professional organizations, political parties, and social customs. Conventions are important for establishing rules, making decisions, and promoting cooperation among individuals or groups with shared interests.