Meeting vs. Rundown — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
Meeting involves formal gatherings with multiple participants for discussion or decision-making, while a rundown is an informal, brief summary or review of information or events.
Difference Between Meeting and Rundown
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A meeting is typically a scheduled event where individuals gather to discuss topics, make decisions, or share information, often in a business or organizational context. Whereas, a rundown is a concise summary that reviews the key points of a project, event, or list of tasks, usually communicated to quickly inform participants.
Meetings are designed to facilitate interaction and collaboration among attendees, providing a platform for open communication and brainstorming. On the other hand, rundowns are more about delivering information efficiently to an audience that needs to be updated rather than engaged in deep discussion.
The format of a meeting can vary widely, from formal boardroom settings to casual roundtable discussions, depending on the purpose and the organizational culture. In contrast, a rundown is typically less formal and can be delivered in various formats like a quick verbal update, an email, or a bullet-point list.
Meetings often involve various elements such as agendas, minutes, and follow-ups, which help structure the discussion and track the outcomes. Whereas rundowns are generally straightforward and do not require detailed documentation, focusing instead on the essential information to be conveyed.
In terms of frequency and duration, meetings can be lengthy and occur regularly as part of organizational routines. Rundowns, however, are usually brief and conducted as needed, especially to bring team members up to speed or to recap events after they have occurred.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A formal gathering for discussion or decision-making.
An informal summary or review of information.
Purpose
To facilitate discussion, decision-making, or information sharing.
To quickly inform or update on key points.
Formality
Often formal, with structured elements like agendas.
Generally informal and concise.
Engagement Level
High, with active participation expected.
Low, primarily informational.
Documentation
Includes agendas, minutes, follow-ups.
Minimal or no formal documentation.
Compare with Definitions
Meeting
A formal event where individuals gather to discuss issues.
The board scheduled a meeting to discuss the upcoming merger.
Rundown
A quick outline of tasks or events.
Before the shift started, she gave a rundown of the tasks for the day.
Meeting
An assembly for sharing information.
The community meeting at the town hall was well-attended.
Rundown
A brief summary or overview of key points.
He gave a quick rundown of the event's highlights.
Meeting
A session that involves discussion and feedback.
The project kickoff meeting generated many innovative ideas.
Rundown
An informal review used to update or inform.
The manager provided a rundown of the day's sales figures.
Meeting
A scheduled gathering with a specific agenda.
She prepared meticulously for the strategic planning meeting.
Rundown
A concise report summarizing information.
The email included a rundown of the main discussion points.
Meeting
A convening of people to make decisions.
Our team holds a weekly meeting to allocate tasks.
Rundown
A short recap of details or events.
After the conference, we received a detailed rundown of each session.
Meeting
A meeting is when two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal or business setting, but meetings also occur in a variety of other environments. Many various types of meetings exist.
Rundown
In baseball, a rundown, informally known as a pickle or the hotbox, is a situation that occurs when the baserunner is stranded between two bases, also known as no-man's land, and is in jeopardy of being tagged out. When the baserunner attempts to advance to the next base, he is cut off by the defensive player who has a live ball, and attempts to return to his previous base before being tagged out.
Meeting
The act or process or an instance of coming together; an encounter.
Rundown
A point-by-point summary.
Meeting
An assembly or gathering of people, as for a business, social, or religious purpose.
Rundown
(Baseball) A play in which a runner is trapped between bases and is pursued by fielders attempting to make the tag.
Meeting
The act of persons or things that meet.
Meeting him will be exciting.
I enjoy meeting new people.
Rundown
In poor physical condition; weak or exhausted.
Meeting
A gathering of persons for a purpose; an assembly.
We need to have a meeting about that soon.
Rundown
Dirty and dilapidated
Rundown housing projects.
Meeting
(collective) The people at such a gathering.
What has the meeting decided.
Rundown
Unwound and not running
A run-down watch.
Meeting
An encounter between people, even accidental.
They came together in a chance meeting on the way home from work.
Rundown
A rough outline of a topic or situation.
Could you give me the rundown on the new rules?
Meeting
A place or instance of junction or intersection; a confluence.
Earthquakes occur at the meeting of tectonic plates.
Rundown
(gambling) A summary of the horses to be raced on a particular day, with their weights, jockeys, odds, etc.
Meeting
A religious service held by a charismatic preacher in small towns in the United States.
Rundown
(baseball) A defensive play in which the runner is caught between two fielders, who steadily converge to tag the runner out.
Smith is caught in a rundown, but Jones will come around to score.
Meeting
(Quakerism) An administrative unit in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Denver meeting is a part of Intermountain yearly meeting.
Rundown
A Caribbean stew of meat or fish (typically mackerel) with reduced coconut milk, yam, tomato, onion and seasonings.
Meeting
Present participle of meet
Rundown
A reduction, e.g. of an activity, or in the size of something, such as a fleet.
Meeting
A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of Congress.
Rundown
Alternative form of run-down
Meeting
A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the roads or of two rivers.
Rundown
A concluding summary (as in presenting a case before a law court)
Meeting
A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonious meeting.
Meeting
An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday; - in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Meeting
A formally arranged gathering;
Next year the meeting will be in Chicago
The meeting elected a chairperson
Meeting
The social act of assembling for some common purpose;
His meeting with the salesmen was the high point of his day
Meeting
A small informal social gathering;
There was an informal meeting in my livingroom
Meeting
A casual or unexpected convergence;
He still remembers their meeting in Paris
There was a brief encounter in the hallway
Meeting
The act of joining together as one;
The merging of the two groups occurred quickly
There was no meeting of minds
Meeting
A place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers);
Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers
Common Curiosities
What are typical elements included in a meeting?
Agendas, participant lists, minutes, and follow-up actions.
Can a rundown replace a meeting?
No, a rundown is for updates and cannot facilitate detailed discussions or decision-making like a meeting.
Why is a rundown important in fast-paced environments?
It provides quick, essential updates, allowing for swift adaptation and decision-making.
What is the primary purpose of a meeting?
To discuss, decide, or share information among participants.
How does a rundown typically function in a workplace?
It serves as a quick update to inform team members about essential details or changes.
How long do meetings and rundowns typically last?
Meetings can vary greatly in length, often lasting an hour or more; rundowns are brief, usually just a few minutes.
Can a rundown be delivered in written form?
Yes, it can be conveyed through emails, memos, or bullet-point lists.
How do rundowns aid in project management?
They keep team members aligned by summarizing key points and updates efficiently.
Who participates in a meeting vs. who receives a rundown?
Meetings involve active participants; rundowns are given to those needing an update or summary.
How often are rundowns given compared to meetings?
Rundowns are usually given as needed, while meetings might be scheduled regularly.
Is a rundown considered formal or informal communication?
It is generally informal and brief, intended for quick updates.
What is the usual setting for a meeting?
It can range from formal boardrooms to casual spaces, depending on the context.
What makes a meeting effective?
Clear objectives, a structured agenda, and active participation.
What is the role of documentation in meetings versus rundowns?
Meetings require detailed documentation for record-keeping, unlike the minimal documentation for rundowns.
What tools can enhance meeting productivity?
Tools like digital agendas, collaborative software, and effective facilitation techniques.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
