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

But the board took no vote after a closed-door executive session. —Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

After the school board's executive session, which was closed to the public, Hartman asked for the Forest Hills response plan discussed in the meeting. —Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Mar. 2026

Duke notified the health district’s board at a regular meeting Friday after members agreed to go into an executive session that lasted nearly an hour, meaning the announcement and subsequent discussion were closed to the public, spokesperson Trent Young told the Idaho Statesman by phone. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

Earlier in the day, the House Impeachment Committee held an hour-long executive session, after which Nemes said the committee had decided to issue articles of impeachment. —Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 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