Definition

1. Noun:

   • A parliamentary procedure for ending debate and forcing an immediate vote: In a legislative or deliberative assembly, a cloture is a formal process used to cut off discussion on a proposal and bring it to a decision.

2. Verb:

   • To end debate by invoking such a rule: To cloture means to apply the parliamentary procedure to terminate discussion and compel a vote on the pending matter.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The senator filed a motion for cloture to end the filibuster.
  • Achieving cloture requires a supermajority vote in many legislative bodies.

• Verb:

  • After days of debate, the majority leader moved to cloture the bill.
  • They successfully clotured the discussion and proceeded to a final vote.

Advanced Usage

• "Invoke cloture": To formally initiate the cloture procedure.

  • The chair was asked to invoke cloture to break the legislative deadlock.

• "Cloture vote": The specific vote taken to end debate.

  • The cloture vote failed, meaning the debate could continue indefinitely.

Variants and Related Words

• Closure (noun): While often used synonymously in a parliamentary context, "closure" is the more common British English term for the same procedure. In general usage, "closure" can mean the act of closing or a feeling of resolution.
• Guillotine (noun): In some parliamentary systems (e.g., the UK), this is a similar procedure for allocating time and limiting debate.

Synonyms

• Noun: Closure, gag rule, guillotine (context-specific).
• Verb: Close debate, cut off debate, terminate discussion.

Related Phrases

• "File for cloture": To submit the formal motion to end debate.

  • The party leadership decided to file for cloture on the controversial amendment.

• "Cloture motion": The formal proposal to end debate.

  • The passage of the cloture motion was a significant procedural victory.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is most specifically associated with the procedure in the United States Senate to end a filibuster. Its use signifies a move from unlimited debate to a definitive decision-making vote.
• As a verb, it is a procedural term and is not used in general conversation outside of formal parliamentary or deliberative contexts.

Noun

1. a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body

Verb

1. terminate debate by calling for a vote
   • debate was closured
   • cloture the discussion