forum
forum — noun
1. An event, meeting, or organised situation where people discuss issues of public
An event, meeting, or organised situation where people discuss issues of public interest and share their opinions openly.
The town council held a public forum for residents to discuss the new housing plan.
collocation: public forum
Sivan attended a forum on climate change alongside scientists and community leaders.
forum + on + topic
Élise used the debate as a forum to explain her proposal for the neighbourhood.
Regular forums have been set up across the district to discuss rising energy costs.
The radio station runs a weekly forum where listeners phone in to discuss local issues.
- discussion
broader term; any exchange of ideas, not necessarily public or organised
- panel
more structured; experts speak in front of an audience
- town hall
specifically a public meeting for residents, often with local government
文法句型
forum + on/about + topic
forum + for + purpose
open forum
public forum
用法筆記
Often combined with 'public', 'open', or 'town hall' to specify the type of event. Can also describe a regular TV or radio programme featuring audience discussion.
常見錯誤
2. A website or section of a website where users post messages, ask questions, and
A website or section of a website where users post messages, ask questions, and take part in discussions about a particular topic.
Liam joined a music forum to ask experienced guitar players about buying his first instrument.
forum + for + interest group
The photography forum has thousands of members who share their work and give advice.
forum + with + number + members
Hyun found a solution to his computer problem on a tech support forum.
New users on the forum must follow the community rules when posting comments.
A parenting forum helped Kwame connect with other families facing similar challenges.
- discussion board
slightly more general; can refer to any online message system
- message board
older term, same meaning; emphasises the posting of messages
- chat room
real-time conversation; messages are not organised into long-term threads
文法句型
forum + for + interest group
forum on/about + topic
online forum
internet forum
用法筆記
In everyday speech, 'forum' alone usually refers to an online discussion board. A forum differs from a chat room in that messages stay visible over time and are organised into threads.
常見錯誤
3. In ancient Roman cities, a public square at the centre of town where people gath
In ancient Roman cities, a public square at the centre of town where people gathered for markets, government business, speeches, and legal proceedings.
Roman merchants gathered every morning at the forum to sell their goods and share news.
collocation: at the forum
Speeches delivered at the forum could influence how citizens voted on important matters.
passive: were delivered at the forum
Baraka's history class visited a model of the Roman Forum while studying ancient Rome.
Important political decisions were announced at the forum for all citizens to hear.
- public square
general term for an open public space in a town
- marketplace
emphasises the commercial function, but less civic and political
- plaza
modern equivalent; a public square in a city or town
文法句型
at the forum
in the forum
the Roman Forum
用法筆記
Capitalise as 'the Forum' or 'the Roman Forum' when referring to the famous historical site in Rome. The word 'forum' in this sense is the direct source of the modern meanings above.