From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishconversationcon‧ver‧sa‧tion /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən $ ˌkɑːnvər-/ ●●● S1 W2 noun [countable, uncountable]TALK TO somebody an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts a telephone conversation Children quickly get bored by adult conversation.conversation with a short conversation with the teacherconversation about a conversation about family and friends They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something. It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. ‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation. He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation. After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding. They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling. He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.THESAURUSconversation noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughtsI was having a conversation with a friend the other day.Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.He overheard our conversation about the children.discussion noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something importantThere was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to doWe had a long talk about our relationship.chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversationI’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant thingsMary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be trueShe always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.It’s all just gossip.small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervousWe stood around making small talk about the weather.banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each otherShe enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
Examples from the Corpus
conversation• I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.• The prototype of reciprocal discourse is face-to-face conversation.• Every time his father's name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.• Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.• The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.• She shivered and watched Mrs Frizzell apprehensively as the buzz of conversation continued.• The buzz of conversation filled the hall.• Cooley presents a report of conversation with a former and a description of social conventions.• Baker's resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.• Martha's a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.• Clinton went on to quote it again during the State of the Union and in other public remarks or private conversations.• a telephone conversation• They didn't realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.• Once my status is ascertained, the conversation quickly reverts to repartee.• She said Gloria was always trying to bust up their conversations.• She did not wish to be having this conversation.snatches of conversation• Among snatches of conversation, both of us remember his referring to the underground as being rather like hell.• He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.• I melted into the wall and listened to snatches of conversation.• I turn the volume low, to stop picking up snatches of conversation from next door.Origin conversation (1300-1400) Old French Latin conversatio, from conversari; → CONVERSE1 