Quick Answer
Adjourn means to officially pause a meeting or court case, promising to resume it later. This matters because it's a crucial tool for managing time in important proceedings, allowing for breaks, further investigation, or rescheduling when necessary, ensuring fairness or efficiency.
In a hurry? TL;DR
- 1Use 'adjourn' to formally pause meetings or legal proceedings, implying a scheduled resumption later.
- 2'Adjourn' signifies a controlled shift in time, not a final end, carrying procedural authority.
- 3A judge or chairperson adjourns to exert control over the timeline of justice or policy decisions.
- 4Parliamentary procedure uses 'adjourn' as a common motion to temporarily halt discussions.
- 5'Adjourn' differs from 'prorogue' (ending a session) and 'recess' (short break), requiring a future resumption.
- 6The term 'adjourn' originates from a phrase meaning 'to the day', emphasizing a scheduled continuation.
Why It Matters
The word "adjourn" is interesting because it sounds like ending something, but actually means pausing it with the intention of continuing later.
Adjourn is a formal verb used to suspend a meeting, legal proceeding, or session with the intention of resuming it at a different time or place. It functions as a precise linguistic tool for hitting the pause button on official business.
The Quick Reference
Part of Speech: Verb Pronunciation: uh-JURN (/əˈdʒɜːrn/) Primary Meaning: To break off a meeting or legal case with the intention of resuming it later.
Why It Matters
Adjourn is the word that bridges the gap between action and delay. In legislative and legal bodies, it is a high-stakes power move. When a judge adjourns a trial or a chairperson adjourns a committee, they are exerting control over the timeline of justice or policy. It is more sophisticated than simply stopping; it carries the weight of procedural authority.
The Temporal Shift
The word is distinctive because it anchors a transition in time. Unlike phrases like calling it a day, which feel casual and final, to adjourn is to place a bookmark in a formal record. According to parliamentary procedure experts, the motion to adjourn is often the most common movement in any deliberative assembly, serving as a necessary release valve for heated debates.
In contrast to proroguing (which ends a legislative session entirely) or recessing (which is a short break), adjournment creates a specific gap that must be bridged by a future date. It is the language of professional persistence.
Adjourn in Action
- The judge decided to adjourn the court until Monday morning to allow the jury to deliberate on the new evidence.
- After four hours of fruitless debate, the board members voted to adjourn and revisit the budget proposal next month.
- Let us adjourn to the dining room, the host suggested, signaling the transition from cocktails to the main event.
- The senate session was adjourned sine die, meaning no specific date was set for the next assembly.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms: Defer, postpone, suspend, prorogue, stay. Antonyms: Convene, assemble, continue, expedite, persist.
Practical Usage Tips
Usage Tip 1: Use adjourn in professional settings to signal a temporary but formal end to a session. It sounds more authoritative than saying we are done.
Usage Tip 2: Remember that adjourn can also be used transitively when moving people from one location to another, such as adjourning to the library for tea.
What is the difference between adjourn and recess?
A recess is a brief pause within a single day’s session, whereas an adjournment usually ends the business for that specific day or for a longer period.
Can adjourn be used for casual social events?
Yes, it is often used with light irony in social settings, such as when a group of friends decides to adjourn to a nearby bar after a film.
What does it mean to adjourn sine die?
This Latin phrase translates to without a day. It means the assembly is breaking up without setting a specific time to meet again, often signaling the end of a session.
Key Takeaways
- Adjourn means to suspend a proceeding until a future time.
- The word comes from the French phrase for to the day.
- It is a cornerstone of parliamentary and legal procedure.
- It implies a continuation rather than a permanent cancellation.
Related reading: The Etymology of Legal Terms, How to Lead a Meeting, and Five Words for Professional Transitions.
Example Sentences
"The chairman proposed to adjourn the meeting until the following Tuesday, due to the late hour."
"The judge decided to adjourn the court proceedings until new evidence could be properly reviewed by both legal teams."
"After much debate and little progress, the committee voted unanimously to adjourn and reconvene in the morning."
"We must adjourn our discussions now; we can pick up where we left off after lunch."
"Parliament will adjourn for the summer holiday at the end of next week, resuming session in September."
