Convention vs Tradition

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Convention

Top 2,000 (common) B2 noun

Tradition

Top 2,000 (common) A2 noun

	Convention	Tradition
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kənˈvenʃn/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kənˈvenʃn/"]/	🇬🇧 //trəˈdɪʃ.ən// 🇺🇸 //trəˈdɪʃ.ən//
Meaning	A large meeting or event where people with the same interests come together.	A custom or belief passed down through generations.
Example	The annual writers' convention attracted attendees from all over the country.	In our family, it’s a **tradition** to have dinner together every Sunday.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B2	A2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	accepted, established, long-standing, set, adhere to, conform to, follow, demand something, dictate something, according to convention, by convention, a break with convention, a matter of convention, annual, international, national, have, hold, host, take place, centre/​center, hall, floor, at a/​the convention, delegates to a convention, global, international, European, adopt, ratify, sign, apply, govern something, establish something, under a/​the convention, convention against, convention between, a breach of a convention, accepted, established, long-standing, set, adhere to, conform to, follow, demand something, dictate something, according to convention, by convention, a break with convention, a matter of convention	cultural tradition, religious tradition, family tradition, long-standing tradition
Antonyms	disorder, chaos, unconventionality	innovation, change
Common mistakes	Confused with 'convention' vs 'conventional', Using 'convention' in the wrong plural form (conventions) when referring to multiple events, Mistaking 'convention' for 'conference' as being interchangeable in all contexts	Confused with 'traditional' which is an adjective., Using 'tradition' in the plural form unnecessarily., Misunderstanding the meaning; it refers to customs, not just old practices.
Usage notes	Use 'convention' for formal gatherings, especially in business, politics, or specific areas of interest. Avoid using it in casual contexts.	Used when discussing customs and practices in culture. It's appropriate in formal and informal settings but can be less common in technical contexts.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

It's tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men.

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Meadow, it's our little tradition.

He was from a long, great military tradition.

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

It's tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men.

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Meadow, it's our little tradition.

Tradition

Frequently asked questions: Convention vs Tradition

What's the difference between Convention and Tradition?

Convention: A large meeting or event where people with the same interests come together. Tradition: A custom or belief passed down through generations.

Which is more advanced: Convention and Tradition?

Convention is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Convention and Tradition the same CEFR level?

Convention: B2, Tradition: A2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Convention and Tradition?

Convention: noun, Tradition: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Convention: The annual writers' convention attracted attendees from all over the country. Tradition: In our family, it’s a **tradition** to have dinner together every Sunday.

Can I use Convention and Tradition interchangeably?

Not always. Convention and Tradition are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.