plenary

[plee-nuh-ree, plen-uh-]

adjective

1. full; complete; entire; absolute; unqualified.

   plenary powers.

2. attended by all qualified members; fully constituted.

   a plenary session of Congress.

noun

plural

plenaries 

1. a plenary session, meeting, or the like.

plenary

/ ˈplɛn-, ˈpliːnərɪ /

adjective

1. full, unqualified, or complete

   plenary powers

   plenary indulgence

2. (of assemblies, councils, etc) attended by all the members

noun

1. a book of the gospels or epistles and homilies read at the Eucharist

Other Word Forms

• plenarily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plenary¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; from Late Latin plēnārius ( plenum, -ary ); replacing late Middle English plener, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin plēnāris ( -ar ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of plenary¹

C15: from Late Latin plēnārius, from Latin plēnus full; related to Middle English plener; see _plenum

Example Sentences

These were heartily applauded in the plenary halls – but their legal standing is uncertain.

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Diplomats huddled as the suspension dragged on for more than an hour before the plenary finally resumed.

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However, there is one area in which the president does have absolute plenary authority: The power of the pardon.

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This week’s conclave, known as the Fourth Plenum, is the Central Committee’s fourth plenary meeting in its current term.

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Sejourne will share details from the talks on Tuesday with EU commissioners meeting during the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, France.

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