In common usage, which description best matches 'convention'?

• A. A gathering or meeting of people with a shared interest
• B. A formal political agreement
• C. A social custom
• D. An informal rule

Answer: (A)

Conventions in everyday use most often refer to a large gathering of people who share an interest, like a fan convention. This event-focused meaning matches common usage most people have in mind, which is why it’s the best choice. There are other senses of convention—referring to social customs or norms, or to formal agreements—but those are less representative of the everyday sense. So the description of a gathering best captures how convention is used in ordinary language.