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

After the censure on Monday, Hulsey again tried to exclude the city administrator from council business when the governing body went into executive session. — Rachel Royster july 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Questions have also been raised about how much discussion on this issue took place behind closed doors in executive session. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Rodrigues is also chair of the Brockton School Committee, which met in executive session on Wednesday to discuss the allegations. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

The negotiations all happened in executive session, behind closed doors, but the final vote was unanimous. — Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executive session

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

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