quorum

American  

[kwawr-uhm, kwohr-] / ˈkwɔr əm, ˈkwoʊr- /

noun

quorums plural

1. the number of members of a group or organization required to be present to transact business legally, usually a majority.

2. a particularly chosen group.

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quorum British  

/ ˈkwɔːrəm /

noun

1. a minimum number of members in an assembly, society, board of directors, etc, required to be present before any valid business can be transacted

   the quorum is forty

   we don't have a quorum

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quorum Cultural  

1. The minimum number of members of a committee or legislative body who must be present before business can officially or legally be conducted. In the United States Congress, for example, either house must have a majority (218 in the House of Representatives, 51 in the Senate) to have a quorum.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• quora
  plural
• quorums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of quorum

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin quōrum “of whom”; from its use in Latin legal formulas for commissioning justices of the peace

Explanation

A quorum is not necessarily a majority of members of a group, but the minimum needed in order to conduct business. For example, if two members of a group are absent, there can still be a quorum, meaning the meeting can go on without them. The noun quorum is plural of qui in Latin, meaning "of whom." The first quorum was an eminent group of justices of the peace. The word quorum was used in the commission papers that gave them the authority to act. Over time the current meaning, the minimum number needed to conduct business, was added, but the word still retains the meaning of a select group, as well.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

quorum quorums

Many commissions cannot conduct business without a quorum of a simple majority of commissioners.

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026

The EAC has been without a quorum before.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

The president has appointed a quorum of new board members, who are poised to deliver reform and results.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026

In a follow-up experiment, they tested their quorum sensing design by programming bacteria to produce a green fluorescent protein, allowing them to confirm that the system activated at the intended moment.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 24, 2026

Outside the pub, a small crowd was gathered around a quorum of very pissed-off-looking sheep farmers.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Both boards lost their quorums and could no longer act.

From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026

Experts agree that while other independent agencies have gone without board quorums, none has faced the impending scenario of the merit board.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 12, 2019

They convened in caucus meetings and hallway quorums that became commiseration sessions.

From New York Times ● Dec. 13, 2016

Such occasions featuring legislative quorums outside the Capitol are rare but not unprecedented.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 5, 2014

After the address the voice of the assembly was taken in reference to receiving and upholding the several presidents of the different quorums in their standing.

From Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle The Father and Founder of the British Mission by Whitney, Orson F.