adjournment

A putting off or postponing of proceedings; an ending or dismissal of further business by a court, legislature, or public official—either temporarily or permanently.

If an adjournment is final, it is said to be sine die, "without day" or without a time fixed to resume the work. An adjournment is different from a recess, which is only a short break in proceedings.

In legislatures, adjournment officially marks the end of a regular session. Both state and federal lawmakers vote to determine when to adjourn. The exact timing depends upon multiple factors such as work load, election schedules, and the level of comity among lawmakers. Because a session can end with unfinished legislative business, adjournment is commonly used as a means of political leverage in securing or delaying action on important matters. In the U.S. Congress, where the single annual legislative session usually ends in the fall, the president may call an adjournment if the House and Senate cannot agree upon a date.

Further readings

Baumann, David, and Kirk Victor. 2001. "Congress: Pitfalls to Adjournment." National Journal (November 10).

Cross-references

Congress of the United States; Legislature.

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adjournment noun adjournal, break, continuation, deferment, dilatio, discontinuation, extension, hold-over, intermission, interruption, moratorium, postponement, prolongation, prorogation, protraction, recess, reservation, respite, stay, suspension, termination
Associated concepts: adjournment for a session, adjournnent for the term, adjournment in contemplation of dississal, adjournment of a hearing, adjournment of a trial, adjournment of the court, sine die

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See also: cessation, close, cloture, conclusion, deferment, discontinuance, end, extension, hiatus, pendency, termination

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ADJOURNMENT. The dismissal by some court, legislative assembly, or properly authorized officer, of the business before them, either finally, which is called an adjournment sine die, without day; or, to meet again at another time appointed, which is called a temporary adjournment. 2. The constitution of the United States, art. 1, s. 5, 4, directs that "neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place, that that in which the two houses shall be sitting." Vide Com. Dig. h.t.; Vin. Ab. h.t.; Dict. de Jur. h.t.