n.
Pronunciation: ' kän-f( ə -)r ə n(t)s, -f ə rn(t)s, for 2 usu k ə n- ' f ə r- ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Date: 1527
1 a : a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern b : a usually formal interchange of views : CONSULTATION c : a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences d : CAUCUS
2 also con · fer · rence \ k ə n- ' f ə r- ə n(t)s \ : BESTOWAL , CONFERMENT
3 a : a representative assembly or administrative organization of a religious denomination b : a territorial division of a religious denomination
4 : an association of athletic teams
– con · fer · en · tial \ ˌ kän-f ə - ' ren(t)-sh ə l \ adjective