cloture

American  

[kloh-cher] / ˈkloʊ tʃər /

noun

1. a method of closing a debate and causing an immediate vote to be taken on the question.

---

verb (used with or without object)

clotured, cloturing

1. to close (a debate) by cloture.

cloture British  

/ ˈkləʊtʃə /

noun

1. closure in the US Senate

---

verb

1. (tr) to end (debate) in the US Senate by cloture

cloture Cultural  

1. A vote of a legislature used to stop debate on an issue and put the issue to a vote. (See filibuster.)

---

Etymology

Origin of cloture

1870–75; < French clôture, Middle French closture < Vulgar Latin *clōstūra, alteration of Latin clōstra, claustra, plural of claustrum barrier. See claustral, -ure

Example Sentences

Because unlimited debate was the tradition of the Senate, cloture was invoked only five times in the first approximately 50 years of its existence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

In 1917, senators adopted the rule allowing cloture if a two-thirds majority voted to end debate.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

The result is that a determined minority can block legislation by preventing cloture and prolonging debate.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

While the Senate ostensibly runs by majority rule, it takes the support of a supermajority—since 1975, three-fifths of the chamber, or 60 senators—to bring debates to a close, or cloture.

From Slate • Aug. 12, 2025

If you had asked a Chicagoan, the honorable chairman would have been compelled to resort to cloture before the orator got through.

From Modern Eloquence: Vol III, After-Dinner Speeches P-Z by Various