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

Wehle chose to have the discussion concerning her job performance in public rather than during an executive session. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026

City Council members called a special meeting a week after the fire and police union’s no-confidence vote and held an executive session about a personnel matter involving Halburnt, city records show. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026

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

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