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

Two more Senate votes — another confirmation vote and another cloture vote. —Cate Martel, The Hill, 9 July 2024

For Republicans to kill the Democratic filibuster that would ensue, the Republicans need 33 votes on a cloture motion. —Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

Filibusters in the Senate had been rare, with a handful requiring cloture votes per year. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024

Before voting on the reauthorization bill, senators had to vote on a cloture motion to begin voting. —Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024

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

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