[1]
1) b: a public meeting place for open discussion
[2]
The forum was a meeting place in the cities of ancient Rome.
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There were forums spread throughout the Roman world, including in what is now Israel and Lebanon.
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The most important forum was the one in the city of Rome. The Roman Forum was the center of Roman life and the site of meetings, law courts, and battles between gladiators.
[3]
The forum was a very busy place, used for markets, shopping, political gatherings and as a general meeting place. It was oblong and was surrounded by public buildings such as law courts and temples, which often had tall pillars and imposing entrances which made it a place of great dignity.
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As Rome grew bigger one forum was not enough and several others were made.
[1]
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forum
[2]
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/forum/627206
[3] Children's Britannica 1973