conference

noun10

1. •
   The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.

   • Nor with such free and friendly conference / As he hath used of old. — 1599
2. •
   an event at which many people meet to listen to speakers and discuss an important subject
3. •
   A formal event where scientists or other scholars present their research results in speeches, workshops, posters or by other means.
4. •
   A multilateral diplomatic negotiation.
5. •
   A group of sports teams that play each other on a regular basis.
6. •
   A talk or lecture, (Catholicism) especially when given as part of a retreat.

   • “[…]But I do know of a man who is an expert on the topic. In fact, he gave a conference here in our church not very long ago.[…]” — 1996
7. •
   A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
8. •
   A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
9. •
   (Philippines) A constituent tournament of a sports league in a given season.
10. •
    (no longer used) The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.

    • helps and furtherances which […] the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford — 1594

verb1

1. •
   To assess (a student) by one-on-one conversation, rather than an examination.

   • The students who were conferenced on paper 1 will get a written response to paper 2, and those who received a written response to paper 1 will be conferenced on paper 2. — 2009

noun1

1. •
   An autumn cultivar of the European pear Pyrus communis.