closed-door

[ klohzd-dawr, -dohr ]

/ ˈkloʊzdˈdɔr, -ˈdoʊr /

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adjective

held in strict privacy; not open to the press or the public: a closed-door strategy meeting of banking executives.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of closed-door

First recorded in 1930–35

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use closed-door in a sentence

In closed-door hearing with U.S. congressmen, Kerry said U.S. policy in Syria is failing.
Up to a Point: P.J. O’Rourke on Valentine’s Day and Oral Hygiene|P. J. O’Rourke|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Jaafari was insulting Brahimi in the closed-door negotiations,” another diplomatic source said.
UN’s Brahimi: Round One of Syria Peace Talks Failed|Josh Rogin|February 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The closed-door powwow promises to be an electrifying exercise in spleen venting, thrust upon them by their Senate brethren.
House Republicans Brace for Crazy-Making Intraparty Immigration Fight|Michelle Cottle|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Issa once promised that he would release all the transcripts of his closed-door proceedings.
Obama Hatred and the IRS|Michael Tomasky|June 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The President spent time in closed-door meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu discussing Syria and Iran.
Kerry Squanders Obama’s Good Work In Israel|Abraham Katsman|April 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Fists clenched, he stood staring at the closed door, and his fresh color slowly deserted him and left him pale.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Now, all Jess could see were two thick chunks of wood nailed securely to the closed door opposite the open one.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
Mrs. Walbridge sat still for several minutes, staring at the closed door, a strange look on her pale face.
Happy House|Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
Then Von Rosen sat again alone in his study, and now, in spite of the closed door, he heard noises above stairs.
The Butterfly House|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
He was master of this mysterious foe beyond the closed door.
Frank Merriwell's Pursuit|Burt L. Standish

British Dictionary definitions for closed-door

closed-door

adjective

private; barred to members of the publica closed-door meeting

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with closed-door

closed door

An obstacle or restriction, as in There are no closed doors in the new field of gene therapy. [First half of 1900s]

close one's doors. See close down. Also see behind closed doors; close the door.