con·ven·tion·al
kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 
1
: formed by agreement or compact
2
a
: according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention
conventional spelling
conventional morality
b
: lacking originality or individuality : trite
Most of her books are conventional detective stories.
c(1)
: ordinary, commonplace
conventional medications
(2)
: nonnuclear sense 1
conventional warfare
3
a
: according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural forms
b
: of traditional design
4
: of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting
conventionally
adverb
con·ven·tion·al·ize
variants
also British conventionalise
kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌlīz
-ˈven(t)-shə-nᵊl-ˌīz
-ed/-ing/-s
1
: to make conventional : cause to conform to conventional rules, patterns, attitudes
conventionalized behavior
2
in art and design
a
: to treat in a conventional or nonnaturalistic manner
flowers are conventionalized to serve as a motif
b
: to establish as a readily interpreted mode of representation
an alphabet developing out of conventionalized pictographs
: to follow conventional principles
Examples of conventional in a Sentence
Adjective
The number sign is the conventional symbol for labeling something measured in pounds.
While microwaves heat up food more quickly, most food tastes better when it is cooked in a conventional oven.
Most of her books are conventional detective stories.
His views on dating are more conventional than those of some of his friends.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2026
Eighteen unique mannequins were created for the show, modelled off real and imagined people whose bodies don’t conform to conventional fashion-world ideals.
—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Membrane refining breakthrough Crude oil refining is one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes, with conventional distillation requiring temperatures above 350°C to separate crude into products such as gasoline, kerosene, and naphtha.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
Arbor, his Los Angeles-area startup, developed a turbine that’s about a fifth the size of conventional units and that can be made relatively fast using 3D printers.
—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for conventional
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Adjective
In a place where many homes lean into glass, driftwood tones and a conventional layout, this one sprawls like a resort, with sleeping quarters separated into individual pavilion-like structures.
—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2026
Eighteen unique mannequins were created for the show, modelled off real and imagined people whose bodies don’t conform to conventional fashion-world ideals.
—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Membrane refining breakthrough Crude oil refining is one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes, with conventional distillation requiring temperatures above 350°C to separate crude into products such as gasoline, kerosene, and naphtha.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
Arbor, his Los Angeles-area startup, developed a turbine that’s about a fifth the size of conventional units and that can be made relatively fast using 3D printers.
—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for conventional
Cite this Entry
“Conventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conventional. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conventional
adjective
con·ven·tion·al
kən-ˈvench-nəl
-ˈven-chən-ᵊl
: following, agreeing with, or based on convention
conventional people
conventional remarks
a conventional detective story
conventionally
adverb
-ē
Legal Definition
conventional
adjective
con·ven·tion·al
kən-ˈven-chə-nəl
1
: based on, settled by, or formed by agreement : contractual compare judicial sense 2, legal sense 2c
2
: of, like, or relating to a convention or public meeting
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