special session

American

noun

a session, as of a legislature or council, called to meet in addition to those held regularly.

Etymology

Origin of special session

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The next and likely final state to watch is Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to begin a special session on April 28.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

She was applauded for several minutes at the end of her speech, held as part of a special session to commemorate Nazi Germany's murder of six million European Jews during World War II.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Abbott later changed tact, removing references to the DOJ letter when he called lawmakers back for a second special session, after Democrats returned from their quorum break.

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2025

Vice President JD Vance has made two trips to Indiana to lobby for a new map, and Gov. Mike Braun announced a special session late last month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

On April 2, 1917, members of the Sixty-Fifth Congress were sworn in to a special session.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023