Definition

1. Noun:
   • A private meeting: A "closed session" is a formal meeting, typically of an official or legislative body, that is not open to the public or the press.
   • A confidential proceeding: It refers to a session where the discussions, deliberations, or testimony are kept secret from non-participants to ensure privacy, security, or candor.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The committee went into a closed session to discuss the sensitive security matter.
  • The judge called for a closed session to protect the identity of the minor witness.

Advanced Usage

• "To hold a closed session": To conduct a private, confidential meeting.
  • The board of directors will hold a closed session to review the CEO's performance.
• "In closed session": Describes the state or condition of meeting privately.
  • The senators debated the treaty in closed session for over three hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Executive session (n): Often used synonymously with "closed session," especially in parliamentary or corporate contexts, to mean a private meeting of a deliberative assembly.
  • The council moved into executive session to discuss the legal dispute.
• In camera session (n): A legal term, from Latin, meaning a session in private, typically in a judge's chambers.
  • The hearing was conducted in camera to discuss classified evidence.

Synonyms

• Private meeting: A gathering not open to the public.
• Confidential hearing: A formal proceeding where information is kept secret.

Related Phrases

• Behind closed doors: An adverbial phrase describing an event happening in private, similar to a closed session.
  • The negotiations took place behind closed doors.

Noun

1. a session (usually of a legislative body) that is closed to the public