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

At City Hall, before taking council members’ public comments, the committee went into executive session, conferring privately while a large crowd waited for members to address the billion-dollar question in open session. —Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026

There was even a conversation in an executive session at the NGA about governors getting more involved in work permits and bringing people in, coordinated. —CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026

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

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