session

[ sesh-uhn ]

noun

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.

session

/ 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
   See Court of Session

Derived Forms

• ˈsessionally, adverb
• ˈsessional, adjective

Other Words From

• ses·sion·al adjective
• pre·ses·sion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of session¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of session¹

C14: from Latin sessiō a sitting, from sedēre to sit

Idioms and Phrases

see bull session .

Example Sentences

No other teams were in the gym during the sessions, though Clark said occasionally non-Patrick Henry students would join in.

From Voice of San Diego

Earlier this year, boxing superstar Mike Tyson shared astonishing video clips from one of his recent sparring sessions.

From Quartz

I felt I had just gone to a group therapy session, but had one too many beers to properly take part.

From Ozy

I don’t think the governor – certainly he wouldn’t call a special session for that conversation, but if we do have a special session, that needs to be a part of it.

From Voice of San Diego

SitterStream is a new startup providing 30- to 90-minute virtual babysitting and tutoring sessions.

From Fortune

These are eight of the most interesting laws passed in the second session of the 113th Congress.

From The Daily Beast

Her services include a makeup session for a night out for $50.

From The Daily Beast

On piano was legendary session man Billy Preston, who co-wrote and recorded the original version one year before Cocker's.

From The Daily Beast

Couple removed the weights and continued the session further.

From The Daily Beast

But when the 114th Congress gavels into session in January, GOP speechwriters are going to need some new material.

From The Daily Beast

It will be a busy session; and I want to see if I can't become a useful public man.

From Project Gutenberg

Important orders for new books are now in course of execution, the volumes being due early in this year's session.

From Project Gutenberg

Three to four examples thoroughly studied are quite sufficient for one session or sitting.

From Project Gutenberg

He was one of the lords of session in Scotland, and a philosophical writer of considerable learning, but of peculiar notions.

From Project Gutenberg

Policeman: The prisoner's three brothers were transported last session, and his mother and father are now in Clerkenwell.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conference
• discussion
• hearing
• period
• term