forum

fo·rum

Use forum in a sentence

An online message board is an example of a forum.

noun

The definition of a forum is a place or a method for discussion.

An example of a forum is an online message board.

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MLA Style

"forum." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum>.

APA Style

forum. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum

forum

pl. -·rums or -·ra the public square or marketplace of an ancient Roman city or town, where legal and political business was conducted
a law court; tribunal
1. an assembly, place, radio program, Internet site, etc. for the discussion of public matters or current questions
2. an opportunity for open discussion

Origin of forum

L, area out-of-doors, marketplace, origin, originally uncertain or unknown; perhaps area with board fence from forus, board from Indo-European an unverified form bhoros: see bar

forum Idioms

the Forum

the forum of ancient Rome

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MLA Style

"forum." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum>.

APA Style

forum. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum

forum

noun

pl. fo·rums, also fo·ra

a. The public square or marketplace of an ancient Roman city that was the assembly place for judicial activity and public business.
b. A public meeting place for open discussion.
c. A medium for open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper, a radio or television program, or a website.
A public meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among experts and often including audience participation.
a. An area of legal authority; a jurisdiction.
b. A court of law or tribunal.

Origin of forum

Middle English from Latin; see dhwer- in Indo-European roots.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"forum." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum>.

APA Style

forum. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum

Noun

(plural forums or fora)

A place for discussion.
A gathering for the purpose of discussion.
A form of discussion involving a panel of presenters and often participation by members of the audience.
(Internet) An Internet message board where users can post messages regarding one or more topics of discussion.
Trish was an admin member on three forums, and had no trouble at all when it came to moderating them.
(in a Roman town) a square or marketplace used for public business and commerce.

Usage notes

The English plural forums is preferred to the Latin plural fora in normal English usage.

Ref: Modern English Usage, 2nd Edition, ed. Sir Ernest Gowers, Oxford 1968 (article '-um', p.658).
Also, "The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style," by Bryan A. Garner. Berkley Books, 2000, (p. 156).

Related terms

conforaneous (rare)

Origin

From Latin forum (“public market place”, “forum”).

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"forum." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum>.

APA Style

forum. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/forum

forum - Computer Definition

See Internet forum.

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