Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Conference
1.
The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison.
[Obs.]
Helps and furtherances which . . . the mutual
conference
of all men’s collections and observations may afford. Hocker.
2.
The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views.
Nor with such free and friendly
As he hath used of old.
conference
As he hath used of old.
Shakespeare
3.
A meeting for consultation, discussion, or an interchange of opinions.
4.
A meeting of the two branches of a legislature, by their committees, to adjust between them.
5.
(Methodist Church)
A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters.
6.
A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are.
Conference meeting
, a meeting for conference. Specifically, a meeting conducted (usually) by laymen, for conference and prayer.
[U. S.]
– Conference room
, a room for conference and prayer, and for the pastor's less formal addresses.
[U. S.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Conference
CON'FERENCE
,Noun.
1.
The act of conversing on a serious subject; a discoursing between two or more, for the purpose of instruction, consultation, or deliberation; formal discourse; oral discussion.For they who seemed to be somewhat, in conference added nothing to me. Galatians 2.
The ministers had a conference at Ratisbon.
2.
A meeting for consultation, discussion or instruction.3.
Comparison; examination of things by comparison.The mutual conference of observations. The conference of different passages of scripture.
[This sense is, I believe, now obsolete.]