Skip to main content
roundtable

roundtable

91 4.3
A meeting where people at the same level share and discuss ideas
  • noun
  • /ˈraʊndˌteɪbəl/
: mesa redonda
  • After the crisis, the financial industry, including the Financial Services Roundtable, worked harder than ever to fight reform.
  • a roundtable discussion
  • hold a roundtable
  • organize a roundtable

Thanks, Lumen, for sponsoring this episode of the Reason Roundtable, to which we now return.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • During the summit, the leaders participated in a roundtable where they shared perspectives on climate change.

  • The following day, IJPGC will offer a roundtable discussion about utility-restructuring issues with Kreith.

    Academic text (1997)
  • I believe it was a roundtable discussion about inclusion.

  • The tension Kevin had picked up in the man at the Roundtable meeting was even more evident today.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Five o'clock, mister, we're going to have a roundtable discussion.

  • Often when you have a really great script, you do a roundtable with comedy writers and stand-up comedians.

  • Their suggestion to convene a roundtable of experts and discuss the matter on an impartial level was declined.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Stanford University, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our Stanford roundtable panelists and our moderator, Katie Couric.

  • The academic conference featured a roundtable on innovative teaching methods, encouraging open dialogue among educators.

  • At the community center, a roundtable was organized for residents to discuss local issues and propose solutions.

Synonyms

talks
vsroundtable
  • Formal
434 2.3

Official discussions between groups to reach an agreement

is less formal and stresses equal voices rather than institutional negotiation
meeting
vsroundtable
20 1.0

The joining of two things to become one, like rivers or ideas

is a specific equal-status discussion aimed at consensus, not just any gathering
round table
vsroundtable
11 3.3

A discussion where people who are equal share ideas about a topic

is the one-word written form rather than two separate words
group discussion
vsroundtable
7 2.0

A conversation among several people about one topic to share ideas or make a decision

is more open and equal, focusing on broad exchange rather than strict structure
group meeting
vsroundtable
5 2.2

A planned time when several people come together to talk about something

is less formal and stresses equal status and open idea exchange
unconference
vsroundtable
2 7.3

A meeting where people choose the topics and lead sessions

gives less agenda control to attendees, focusing on equal exchange on planned topics
rap session
vsroundtable
  • Informal
1 7.7

An informal meeting where people openly share feelings and ideas

is more focused on idea exchange and consensus among equals rather than emotional sharing
round-table conference
vsroundtable
1 3.7

A meeting where people at the same level discuss a subject together

is the less formal single-word form instead of a hyphenated phrase

Antonyms

103 4.8

A long speech by one person often in a play or film

4 4.8

An order given by a person in authority

How Formal

conference
  • Formal
∞ 3.0
panel
613 3.7
roundtable
91 4.3
discussion
∞ 1.4
chat
  • Informal
399 1.0

Surface Forms

roundtable singular
roundtables plural

Morphology

roundtable = round + table (semi-transparent) = round + table

The components 'round' and 'table' are literal and identifiable, but the specialized sense 'a meeting of equals' is a metaphorical extension rather than a direct physical description.

Etymology

Roundtable comes from the image of a round table, like King Arthur's famous table, where everyone sits in a circle so no one has a 'head' place. That's why a roundtable meeting is where people of equal status talk and share ideas openly.