breakout session
noun
plural breakout sessions
: a presentation, discussion, or activity that takes place as part of a larger event (such as a conference, convention, or seminar) and for which some of the event's participants temporarily separate themselves from the others
Wednesday's workshop will include two panel discussions … followed by a breakout session with audience input.—
Robert Miller
Robert MillerWith so many attendees, breakout sessions are essential for one-on-one contact.—Phaedra Hise
Phaedra HiseExamples of breakout session in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Students then participate in breakout sessions to drive home the lesson.
—Doug Turnbull For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AJC.com, 22 Feb. 2026
During the event, breakout sessions included discussions about navigating religious observance in the military, creating a Jewish community while on duty, and how to have successful military relationships.
—Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Following the keynote, students filtered out of the auditorium to explore 14 different breakout sessions held in classrooms, focused on a variety of topics that female athletes might face in their sport.
—Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Looking ahead, astronomy's next major observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, will be the subject of a dedicated Town Hall meeting on the status of the mission and next steps, as well as several other breakout sessions.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Many audience questions, especially in some of the breakout sessions, were around governance and orchestration methods for an increasingly hybrid workforce where AI agents will be completing tasks alongside employees.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
That continued on Tuesday with more breakout sessions and a 90-minute candlelight vigil inside the Ford Center, the team’s practice center, on Tuesday night.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025
The conference will have panels and breakout sessions discussing how universities, hospitals, and other institutions’ procurement practices aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Programming includes keynote speakers and conversations, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, capped by evening entertainment and gatherings.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 11 Sep. 2025
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Doug Turnbull For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AJC.com, 22 Feb. 2026
During the event, breakout sessions included discussions about navigating religious observance in the military, creating a Jewish community while on duty, and how to have successful military relationships.
—Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Following the keynote, students filtered out of the auditorium to explore 14 different breakout sessions held in classrooms, focused on a variety of topics that female athletes might face in their sport.
—Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Looking ahead, astronomy's next major observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, will be the subject of a dedicated Town Hall meeting on the status of the mission and next steps, as well as several other breakout sessions.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Many audience questions, especially in some of the breakout sessions, were around governance and orchestration methods for an increasingly hybrid workforce where AI agents will be completing tasks alongside employees.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
That continued on Tuesday with more breakout sessions and a 90-minute candlelight vigil inside the Ford Center, the team’s practice center, on Tuesday night.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025
The conference will have panels and breakout sessions discussing how universities, hospitals, and other institutions’ procurement practices aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Programming includes keynote speakers and conversations, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, capped by evening entertainment and gatherings.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakout session.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakout%20session. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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