session

American  

[sesh-uhn] / ˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

• sessions
  plural

1. the sitting together of a court, council, legislature, or the like, for conference or the transaction of business.

   Congress is now in session.

2. a single continuous sitting, or period of sitting, of persons so assembled.

3. a continuous series of sittings or meetings of a court, legislature, or the like.

4. the period or term during which such a series is held.

5. sessions, (in English law) the sittings or a sitting of justices in court, usually to deal with minor offenses, grant licenses, etc.

6. a single continuous course or period of lessons, study, etc., in the work of a day at school.

   Through a mixture of both lectures and lab sessions, you will develop a broad engineering skill base.

7. a portion of the year into which instruction is organized at a college or other educational institution.

   She’s enrolled in a six-week summer session.

8. the governing body of a local Presbyterian church, composed of the pastor who moderates and the elders.

9. a period of time during which a group of persons meets to pursue a particular activity.

   It was the last show before their recording sessions this week where they will produce their first album.

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session British  

/ ˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the meeting of a court, legislature, judicial body, etc, for the execution of its function or the transaction of business

2. a single continuous meeting of such a body

3. a series or period of such meetings

4. education

   1. the time during which classes are held

   2. a school or university term or year

5. Presbyterian Church the judicial and administrative body presiding over a local congregation and consisting of the minister and elders

6. a meeting of a group of musicians to record in a studio

7. a meeting of a group of people to pursue an activity

8. any period devoted to an activity

9. See Court of Session

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session Idioms  

1. see bull session.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• presession
  noun
• sessional
  adjective
• sessionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sessions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of session

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sessio(u)n, cessio(u)n, from Anglo-French, Middle French session, from Latin sessiōn- (stem of sessiō ) “sitting, bench, law-court sitting,” equivalent to sess(us) (past participle of sedēre to sit ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A session is a specific block of time dedicated to something. Court may be in session, or school may be in session, or you just might find yourself enjoying a massage therapy session. The noun session also means a meeting of a board or committee to conduct business. The school board, for example, may hold a special session to discuss budget issues. Session can also refer to a gathering of spiritualists at a séance or a meeting with a psychic. You might have a session with a medium who claims she's delivering a message to you from your great-great-grandmother.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

session sessions

At a recent information session hosted by the county, about half of the people who delivered public comments were in favor of keeping the plant open, and half were vehemently opposed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Four of the hardy team meet BBC Scotland News at the studio, ahead of a training session on the poles there.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

He did come to a session once with Andrew Dice Clay.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

U.S. futures were lower in early European trading after climbing in the previous session on soft inflation data that gave fresh hopes the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates at its meeting next month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

“Our study session was a disaster I don’t want to repeat.”

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

But the technology has drawn away clients from Song's 50,000-won sessions in favour of free or affordable AI readings.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

Gold settled 0.6% higher, up for a fourth-consecutive session, and silver rose 1.2%, up eight of the past 11 sessions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

So by the time, Asghedom reached out to finalize “Prolific” — which carried a different title during its original 2017 sessions — Rideaux was no longer just the promising mentee Hussle took under his wing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

The therapist said their remaining individual sessions were sometimes limited to as little as 16 minutes.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026

Doubtless there were several additional dinners, clandestine meetings, and secret sessions that have escaped the historical record.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• conference
• discussion
• hearing
• period
• term