session

1 of 2

noun

ses·​sion ˈse-shən 

1

: a meeting or series of meetings of a body (such as a court or legislature) for the transaction of business

morning session

2

sessions ˈse-shənz  plural

a(1)

: a sitting of English justices of peace in execution of the powers conferred by their commissions

(2)

: an English court holding such sessions

b

: any of various courts similar to the English sessions

3

: the period between the first meeting of a legislative or judicial body and the prorogation or final adjournment

4

: the ruling body of a Presbyterian congregation consisting of the elders in active service

5

: the period during the year or day in which a school conducts classes

6

: a meeting or period devoted to a particular activity

a recording session

sessional

ˈse-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

session

2 of 2

adjective

1

: employed to perform at recording sessions

a session drummer

2

: having a light body and a lower-than-average percentage of alcohol : sessionable

a session cider

… the increasing popularity of session beers [=sessionable and flavorful beers], which fulfill beer's original promise of being a less potent drink that can be safely enjoyed in greater volume than wine and spirits.

—Will Gordon

It is cleaner, smoother and more flavorful than the typical American lager. It's more of a session beer than other … choices, too, at 5.3 percent ABV …

—Steve Goble

A session beer should be light and without aggressive flavors, but still flavorful enough to keep your interest.

—Michael Agnew

Citrus and grapefruit hit you in this very hazy, low-alcohol ale that has a lingering finish. A very good session ale.

—Marc Bona

Examples of session in a Sentence

Noun

Her health insurance will cover 12 one-hour sessions of therapy per year.

the U.N. Special Session on Disarmament

I'm going to take classes during the summer session.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On Thursday, Newsom directed state lawmakers to hold a special session next month to prepare for how to respond to Trump’s agenda, including combating what California Democrats fear will be attacks on reproductive rights, climate measures, health care programs and undocumented immigrants. —Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

The Forum seminar series also kicked off today with sessions on children’s content, trends in the Latin American and Southeast Asian content industries, and a presentation from Thailand’s new creative industries agency, THACCA. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Among the ways the service seeks to put kids at ease is a pre-session questionnaire for parents that asks things like the pronunciation of the child’s name, whether a letter to Santa has already been mailed and questions related to the child’s understanding of the pandemic. —Tony Bravo, SFChronicle.com, 10 Dec. 2020

Coalition members will get more detail on budget problems at their pre-session retreat, which was to start later Thursday, said Bishop, a Fairbanks Republican. —Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin session-, sessio, literally, act of sitting, from sedēre to sit — more at sit

Adjective

from attributive use of session entry 1; (sense 2) so called because the relatively low alcohol content in such drinks makes it possible to consume several rounds at a sitting without becoming intoxicated

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1958, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing session

• breakout session
• bull session
• closed session
• executive session
• in session
• jam session
• meet in closed session
• photo session
• poster session
• proffer session
• question and answer session
• rap session
• session beers
• skull session

Kids Definition

session

noun

ses·​sion

ˈsesh-ən

1

: a meeting or series of meetings of a body (as a court or legislature) for the carrying on of business

2

: the period between the first meeting of a legislative or judicial body and the last meeting

3

: the period during the year or day in which a school has classes

Legal Definition

session

noun

ses·​sion

: a meeting or series of meetings of a body (as a court or legislature) for the transaction of business

also : the period between the first meeting of a legislative or judicial body and the final adjournment see also regular session, special session