cloture
Americannoun
verb (used with or without object)
noun
verb
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
Explanation
When a Senate debate is brought to a swift end, it's done with a procedure called cloture. Cloture is most often used to end a filibuster. Other governments, including the U.K. and Australia, have similar rules for halting debate. The United States first adopted cloture in 1919 as a response to filibusters, which occur when a Senator speaks at great length, usually to avoid voting on a bill that he or she doesn't support. Filibusters can go on for hours—but when at least 60 Senators vote for cloture, all debate stops and a vote must occur. Cloture means "closure" in French.
Vocabulary lists containing cloture
U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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The Legislative Branch, Sections 4–6
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Senate advanced Kevin Warsh’s nomination as the next Federal Reserve chair, voting 49-44 to invoke cloture.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 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
Tell the former that cabbages do not cost 5 shillings apiece, and the latter that 11 P.M. is the cloture.
From Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley — Volume 2 by Huxley, Thomas Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
