(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a way of behaving that is considered to be correct or polite by most people in a society.
It’s just a social ~ that men don’t wear skirts...
Despite her wish to defy ~, she had become pregnant and married at 21.
= custom
N-VAR
2.
In art, literature, or the theatre, a ~ is a traditional method or style.
...the stylistic ~s of Egyptian art.
N-COUNT
3.
A ~ is an official agreement between countries or groups of people.
...the UN ~ on climate change.
...the Geneva ~.
N-COUNT: oft n N
4.
A ~ is a large meeting of an organization or political group.
...the annual ~ of the Society of Professional Journalists.
...the Republican ~.
= conference
N-COUNT