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

If the matters to be handled by the committee are executive session items, the formation of the committee itself still should be an open session item, which informs the membership that some closed session items will not be handled by the entire board of directors. —Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025

Nelson Deuitch’s administration and council members entered into non-disclosure agreements to review the concept in a confidential executive session. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

The commissioners discussed the hiring in executive session before voting. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2025

That law requires advance notice of board meetings, bans actions outside of board meetings, limits use of executive sessions and requires prompt availability of draft minutes. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

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