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roundtable

roundtable

101 4.3
A meeting where people at the same level share and discuss ideas
  • noun
  • /ˈraʊndˌteɪbəl/
translation icon : 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.

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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

meeting
vsroundtable
73 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
group meeting
vsroundtable
8 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
round table
vsroundtable
7 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
3 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
talks
vsroundtable
  • Formal
2 2.3

Official discussions between groups to reach an agreement

is less formal and stresses equal voices rather than institutional negotiation
unconference
vsroundtable
1 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
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

124 4.8

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

1 4.8

An order given by a person in authority

How Formal

conference
  • Formal
3.0
panel
423 3.7
roundtable
101 4.3
discussion
1.4
chat
  • Informal
312 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.