Quaker meeting

American  

[kwey-ker mee-ting] / ˈkweɪ kər ˈmi tɪŋ /

noun

1. an assembly of Quakers for a time of worship, during which the group’s silence is broken only by those who have been moved by the spirit of God to speak.

   His parents were saddened to learn that he had not visited a Quaker meeting since moving to Kansas.

2. Informal. a gathering at which there is considerable silence.

   This party’s turning into a Quaker meeting—maybe we should bring out the karaoke machine.

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Quaker meeting British  

noun

1. a gathering of the Quakers for worship, characterized by periods of silence and by members speaking as moved by the Spirit

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Etymology

Origin of Quaker meeting

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

For months, activists have been demanding more support from city leadership, explained Elias Siegelman, an activist who works with No ICE Philly, which meets in the quintessentially Pennsylvanian location of a Quaker meeting house.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

The arrest of six Youth Demand supporters at a Quaker meeting house has been condemned by the faith group as an "aggressive violation".

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2025

After wandering the streets with “three great Puffy Rolls”—one to eat and one under each arm—he enters a Quaker meeting house and promptly falls asleep.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2022

It was a Quaker meeting, full of silences between the speakers.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2017

Mott had traveled to the area from Philadelphia to attend a yearly Quaker meeting and to visit Martha, her sister, who was expecting a baby.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling