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executive session
noun
: a usually closed session (as of a legislative body) that functions as an executive council (as of the U.S. Senate when considering appointments or the ratification of treaties)
Examples of executive session in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The discussion of the split on Dec. 19 in executive session without posting an item of such special interest to the public on the agenda was a likely violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act, according to lawyers specializing in the legislation.
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Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025
Despite having to wait 90 minutes while the board met privately in executive session, community members filled the 25 seats with others lining the perimeter of the small meeting room.
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Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
The board met for more than two hours in executive session Jan. 21, spending about 30 to 45 minutes of that with Campbell.
—
Lynn Kutter, arkansasonline.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Things are moving fast: There'll be a Senate Commerce executive session on Wednesday at 10am to consider the legislation.
—
Mackenzie Weinger, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of executive session was
in 1840
Dictionary Entries Near executive session
Cite this Entry
“Executive session.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20session. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Legal Definition
executive session
noun
: a closed session (as of the U.S. Senate) in which executive business (as consideration of appointments or ratification of treaties) is taken care of compare legislative session
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