plenary

American  

[plee-nuh-ree, plen-uh-] / ˈpli nə ri, ˈplɛn ə- /

adjective

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

   plenary powers.

2. attended by all qualified members; fully constituted.

   a plenary session of Congress.

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noun

plural

plenaries

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

plenary British  

/ ˈplɛn-, ˈpliːnərɪ /

adjective

1. full, unqualified, or complete

   plenary powers

   plenary indulgence

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

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

• plenarily adverb

Etymology

Origin of plenary

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 )

Example Sentences

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

From BBC

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

From Barron's

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

From Salon

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Barron's