cloture

1 of 2

noun

clo·​ture ˈklō-chər 

: the closing or limitation of debate in a legislative body especially by calling for a vote

cloture

2 of 2

verb

clotured; cloturing; clotures

transitive verb

: to close (debate) in a legislative body by cloture

Debate over the bill was short Tuesday evening. After an initial debate Tuesday afternoon, Senate Republicans clotured debate when the bill returned later in the day.

—Brian Lyman

Examples of cloture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

No votes are currently scheduled, but the next step in finalizing the plan will likely be a vote on cloture on the motion to proceed. —CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026

Before the confirmation vote, the Senate agreed to invoke cloture on the nomination, also 67-30. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Dec. 2025

The aide acknowledged that the Senate rules technically call for a full 30 hours of debate to elapse on the floor after senators vote to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to a bill. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 10 Nov. 2025

At least 60 senators must vote for cloture to end the filibuster. —George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French clôture, literally, closure, alteration of Middle French closure

First Known Use

Noun

1871, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cloture

• poacher

Legal Definition

cloture

noun

clo·​ture ˈklō-chər 

: the closing or limitation of debate in a legislative body especially by calling for a vote

cloture transitive verb

Etymology

Noun

French clôture, literally, closure