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

Councilors spent more than 90 minutes in executive session Wednesday during a special meeting to discuss the employment status of Halburnt and Hayashi. —Jennifer Kovaleski, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026

In July 2025, Deuitch said her administration and council members entered into non-disclosure agreements to review the concept in a confidential executive session, and no formal agreement was reached at the time. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

During the council meeting Wehle opted to hold the discussion about her job performance in public rather than in an executive session. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026

But the board took no vote after a closed-door executive session. —Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 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