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

Board members met in executive session the evening of May 22 to discuss Yearwood and the other finalist for superintendent, Ben Shuldiner. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

The Sunday meeting came after a special Conway School Board meeting Wednesday night, where board members and Collum met in executive session for about two hours to discuss his future with the school district. —Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025

Spencer Stuart conducted a survey last year identifying key moments that make or break this relationship: compensation negotiations, annual evaluations, transparency regarding executive sessions of the board, board composition, and support during times of adversity. —Doug Sundheim, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

Gingrich called on members to assemble in the well of the House of Representatives in an executive session. —Time, 1 July 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