videoconferencing
C1Neutral to Formal; widely used in professional, academic, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The act or technology of conducting a meeting or conversation between people in different locations via live video and audio transmission.
The broader ecosystem, culture, and practices associated with conducting virtual meetings, including software platforms, etiquette, and hardware.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a non-count noun referring to the activity or technology. Can also function as a modifier (e.g., videoconferencing software). The hyphenated form is common, though 'video conferencing' (two words) is also acceptable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Hyphenation is more consistently used in British English. The spelling 'videoconference' as a single word is more common in American technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Implies a formal or scheduled meeting more than casual video chat.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties post-2020, with a slight edge in American business jargon.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + use/conduct/hold + videoconferencing + [for/with X][Subject] + connect/participate + via videoconferencing[Subject] + be + on + videoconferencingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A life on Zoom (colloquial, referencing a specific platform)”
- “Brady Bunch squares (referring to the grid layout)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Essential for remote teams, client meetings, and international collaboration. Focus on productivity, recording, and screen sharing.
Academic
Used for virtual lectures, thesis defenses, and research collaboration across institutions.
Everyday
Scheduling family calls, virtual gatherings with friends. Often simplified to 'video call'.
Technical
Refers to the protocols (e.g., WebRTC), bandwidth requirements, codec support, and hardware integration.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to videoconference the stakeholders in Berlin.
- She'll be videoconferencing in from the Leeds office.
American English
- Let's videoconference the team in Austin.
- He's videoconferencing from his home office.
adjective
British English
- We're investing in new videoconferencing equipment.
- The videoconferencing facility is booked all day.
American English
- Our videoconferencing capabilities need an upgrade.
- She leads the videoconferencing tech support team.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We talk to grandma by videoconferencing.
- My teacher uses videoconferencing for our lessons.
- The company uses videoconferencing to connect offices in different countries.
- I have a videoconferencing appointment with my doctor tomorrow.
- Widespread adoption of videoconferencing has reduced the need for business travel.
- Effective videoconferencing requires a stable internet connection and good audio equipment.
- The nuances of nonverbal communication are often lost in protracted videoconferencing sessions, leading to misunderstandings.
- Their platform's proprietary algorithm optimizes bandwidth usage for seamless multipoint videoconferencing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
VIDEO + CONFERENCE + ING: Imagine a conference (meeting) you can see (video) that is happening (-ing).
Conceptual Metaphor
A MEETING IS A WINDOW (into another location); COMMUNICATION IS A BRIDGE (spanning distance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'видеоконференция-ing'. Use the noun 'видеоконференция' or the activity 'проведение видеоконференций'.
- Do not confuse with 'видеозвонок' (video call), which is more casual.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'We had a videoconferencing' (should be 'a videoconference' or 'a videoconferencing session').
- Spelling: 'videoconferance' (misspelling of 'conference').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most precise synonym for 'videoconferencing' in a formal business context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the hyphenated form 'videoconferencing' is standard, though 'video conferencing' (two words) is also widely accepted, especially in American English.
Yes, though it's less common than the noun form. As a verb, it means 'to conduct or participate in a videoconference' (e.g., 'Let's videoconference at 3 PM').
'Videoconferencing' typically implies a more formal, scheduled meeting with multiple participants and a business/technical context. A 'video call' is more general and can be casual (e.g., with family).
It is typically a non-count noun (uncountable), so it doesn't have a standard plural. To quantify, use phrases like 'videoconferencing sessions,' 'videoconferences,' or 'instances of videoconferencing.'