Glossary
What does “Adjourn” mean?
To formally end a meeting, or to pause it and continue at a later time.
What it means
To formally end a meeting, or to pause it and continue at a later time. In formal meetings, adjournment is usually declared by the chair, sometimes after a motion and vote.
An example
“There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 8:42 pm,” says the chair; the minutes record the time.
Not to be confused with: Recess
A recess is a short break within the same meeting; an adjournment ends the meeting, or ends it until a set later date.
Where you will see it
In formal meetings, minutes (“the meeting adjourned at…”), and when a meeting lacks a quorum and can only adjourn — sometimes to a set date written into the notice of the next meeting.
Questions
Who can adjourn a meeting?
Usually the chair, either when business is finished or after the meeting votes to adjourn.
What is an adjourned meeting?
A meeting paused and continued at a later date, treated as the same meeting.
What is the difference between adjourning and closing a meeting?
In everyday use they mean the same. Formally, a meeting adjourned to a later date continues as the same meeting, while a closed meeting is finished and the next one is a new meeting.
Other meeting words
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