quorum

noun

quo·rum ˈkwȯr-əm

: a select group

: the number (such as a majority) of officers or members of a body that when duly assembled is legally competent to transact business

: a Mormon body comprising those in the same grade of priesthood

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Quorum Has a Legal History

In Latin, quorum means "of whom" and is itself the genitive plural of qui, meaning "who." At one time, Latin quorum was used in the wording of the commissions issued to justices of the peace in England. In English, quorum initially referred to the number of justices of the peace who had to be present to constitute a legally sufficient bench. That sense is now rare, but it's not surprising that quorum has come to mean both "a select group" and "the minimum people required in order to conduct business."

Example Sentences

We need five people to make a quorum.

Recent Examples on the Web The Texas House cannot legally do state business without a quorum present. —

Dianne Gallagher, CNN, 2 Aug. 2021 The Texas Legislature's special session remains stymied by the departure of several state House Democrats to Washington, D.C., whose absence left Republicans without a quorum. —

Adam Brewster, CBS News, 21 July 2021 Without the chamber quorum, Republicans have been unable to act on the legislation and voted on Tuesday to order state law enforcement officials to track down the fugitive members. —

Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 16 July 2021 The walkout left the legislature without a quorum, preventing the voting restrictions bill from passing. —

Nicholas Reimann, Forbes, 25 June 2021 State law requires that government bodies formally announce public meetings at which a quorum of members will be present and deliberating on a matter within its jurisdiction. —

Emma Platoff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Oct. 2022 Flanked by a detachment of paramilitary Border Police troopers, a quorum of 10 men entered the shrine on a recent morning and made their way to a secluded area of the eastern side of the compound. —

Ilan Ben Zion, ajc, 25 Aug. 2021 Even if McCarthy does not name his appointments in the coming weeks, the hearing scheduled for July 27 could proceed, as the committee will have a quorum of members present. —

Grace Segers, CBS News, 14 July 2021 The House cannot approve legislation without a two-thirds quorum of its 150 members. —

Elizabeth Findell, WSJ, 13 July 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quorum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, quorum of justices of the peace, from Latin, of whom, genitive plural of qui who; from the wording of the commission formerly issued to justices of the peace

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of quorum was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Quorum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quorum. Accessed 24 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

quorum

noun

quo·rum ˈkwōr-əm

ˈkwȯr-

: the number of members of an organization required to be present in order for business to be carried on

Legal Definition

quorum

noun

quo·rum ˈkwōr-əm

: the number (as a majority) of members or officers that must be present to conduct business

lacked a quorum at the meeting of shareholders

History and Etymology for quorum

Middle English, a select number of English justices of the peace formerly required to be present at sessions to constitute a lawful bench, from Latin, of whom, genitive plural of qui who; from the wording of the commission once issued to justices of the peace in England