ˈseshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin session-, sessio act of sitting, session, from sessus (past participle of sedēre to sit) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at sit
1. : an actual or constructive sitting of a body (as a court, council, or legislature) ; also : the actual or constructive assembly of the members of such a body for the transaction of business
morning session
evening session
read the letters to the House in secret session — C.L.Becker
2. sessions plural
a. English law
(1) : a sitting of justices of the peace in execution of the powers conferred by their commissions — see general sessions , petty sessions , special session
(2) : an English court holding such sessions
b. : any of various courts answering more or less to the English sessions
3. usually capitalized , Scots law : court of session
4. : the time, period, or term during which a body (as a court, council, or legislature) meets regularly for business : the space of time between the first meeting and the prorogation or final adjournment
biennial legislative sessions
— see special session
5.
a. : Jesus Christ's sitting at the right hand of God
b. archaic : the action of sitting : a being seated
6. : the ruling body of a Presbyterian congregation consisting of the elders in active service moderated by the pastor and exercising the government and discipline of the church and often also direct control of its temporal affairs — compare consistory , presbytery
7.
a. chiefly Scotland : academic year
b. : term 4
summer session
c. : the part of the day during which a public school conducts classes
many overcrowded schools have double sessions
d. : period 11a
8. : a group of students in a Salvation Army officers' training school having the same year of graduation
9. : a period usually in a series devoted to a particular activity especially by a group of persons
recording session
briefing session
were in for a session of mental improvement — S.H.Adams
square dance sessions will be held weekly — Walter Terry
neglected his tennis sessions — George Sklar
one session with a mop — A.W.Baum
— see bull session , jam session