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

Specifically, two of the Democrats say Thorne should not be present in closed-door executive sessions where commissioners discuss legal strategy with attorneys. —Reed Williams, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026

Foley said that his staff discovered that the state Properties Review Board had held a meeting in executive session regarding the property. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 16 Feb. 2026

The Board of Education is scheduled to meet Friday in an executive session — which is closed to the public — to discuss the district’s investigations into Poole and Brenda Smith. —Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026

The school board went into executive session last week and finalized several changes Monday night. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 10 Feb. 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