Definition

Noun: A private meeting, typically of a legislative or official body, from which the public and non-essential members are excluded. It is held to discuss confidential, sensitive, or privileged matters.

Usage

An "executive session" is a formal, closed meeting. It is used when a group needs to deliberate privately on topics such as personnel issues, legal strategy, security matters, or sensitive negotiations. The discussions and records are usually confidential.

Examples

• The city council went into executive session to discuss the pending lawsuit.
• The committee held an executive session to interview the final candidates for the director position.
• After the public hearing, the board convened in executive session to deliberate on the disciplinary matter.

Advanced Usage

• To go into executive session: The phrase used when a public body officially moves to close its meeting to the public.
  • Example: "A motion was made and approved for the council to go into executive session."
• To come out of executive session: The phrase used when the private meeting concludes and the public session resumes.
  • Example: "The senators came out of executive session and announced they had reached a consensus."

Variants and Related Words

• Closed session: A direct synonym for "executive session."
• In camera session: A legal term, often used in court contexts, meaning a private session. (From Latin, meaning "in a chamber.")
• Open session: The antonym; a meeting that is open to the public.

Synonyms

• Closed meeting
• Private meeting
• Confidential session

Antonyms

• Public hearing
• Open meeting
• Plenary session (when open to all members)

Related Phrases

• Executive privilege: A related concept, often discussed in executive sessions, which is the power of the executive branch to withhold information from the legislature or judiciary.
• Sunshine laws: Regulations that require most government meetings to be open to the public, which is why moving into an "executive session" usually requires citing a specific legal exception under such laws.

Noun

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