conferencing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal; widely used in professional and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “conferencing” mean?
The act of holding a meeting or discussion, especially one involving people in different locations via electronic means.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of holding a meeting or discussion, especially one involving people in different locations via electronic means.
The broader system, technology, or practice of conducting remote meetings, encompassing hardware, software, etiquette, and infrastructure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is identical. 'Videoconferencing' is common in both, but 'video call' is more frequent in everyday UK English.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/bureaucratic in UK English ('We need to arrange a conferencing solution'). In US English, it's often blended with tech jargon ('Let's jump on a conference call').
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties due to globalized business. Slightly more likely to be shortened to 'conference' as a verb in US English (e.g., 'We'll conference at 3').
Grammar
How to Use “conferencing” in a Sentence
[Subject] + use + conferencing + for + [purpose][Subject] + be + engaged in + conferencing[Technology] + enable + conferencingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conferencing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We will be conferencing with the Berlin office tomorrow.
- The team conferences weekly.
American English
- Let's conference in the stakeholders.
- She's conferencing from her home office.
adjective
British English
- We need to upgrade our conferencing equipment.
- The conferencing capabilities are limited.
American English
- We're evaluating new conferencing tools.
- Is this room conferencing-ready?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Standard term for scheduled meetings with remote colleagues or clients. 'All departmental updates will be done via conferencing this quarter.'
Academic
Used for virtual seminars, thesis defenses, or guest lectures. 'The international symposium will be held entirely through video conferencing.'
Everyday
Less common; simpler terms like 'video call' preferred. 'We use conferencing to talk to Grandma abroad.'
Technical
Refers to protocols, bandwidth, and system integration. 'The new codec improves latency in multipoint conferencing.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conferencing”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conferencing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conferencing”
- Using 'conferencing' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a conferencing' – incorrect). It's generally uncountable. 'We use conferencing' is correct.
- Confusing 'conferencing' (system/activity) with 'conference' (event).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a standard noun (gerund) derived from the verb 'to conference', widely accepted in professional and technical English.
'Conferencing' often refers to the general technology or activity, which can be video or audio. A 'conference call' is a specific instance, traditionally audio-only, though the terms are now often used interchangeably.
Yes, 'to conference' is a verb (e.g., 'We'll conference at 3 pm'), though some style guides consider it informal. The '-ing' form in 'conferencing' is typically the noun.
Both 'video conferencing' (two words) and 'videoconferencing' (one word) are commonly used and considered correct. The one-word form is becoming increasingly standard.
The act of holding a meeting or discussion, especially one involving people in different locations via electronic means.
Conferencing is usually neutral to formal; widely used in professional and technical contexts. in register.
Conferencing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.fər.ən.sɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.fɚ.ən.sɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Zoom fatigue (colloquial, derived from a platform)”
- “conference room (now often virtual)”
- “on mute (state during conferencing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CONFERencing: imagine you need to CONFER (discuss) with someone, but you're adding '-encing' to turn it into the technology that lets you do it from anywhere.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFERENCING IS A VIRTUAL SPACE (e.g., 'enter the room', 'share your screen', 'raise your hand').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'conferencing' in a modern context?