Adjourn - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

meeting

To suspend a meeting with the intention of resuming it at a later time or date. It is often done to allow participants to gather more information or to reconvene after a break.

Synonyms

defer, postpone, suspend.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
adjourn	Typically used in formal settings such as in legal, parliamentary, or meeting contexts to indicate the temporary suspension of proceedings until a later time or date. The judge decided to adjourn the hearing until next Monday. Let's adjourn this meeting and reconvene tomorrow.
postpone	Used in both formal and informal settings to indicate the delay of an event, task, or date to a later time. Due to bad weather, they had to postpone the concert until next week. Can we postpone our meeting for later this afternoon?
suspend	Usually implies a temporary halt or interruption, often used in the context of services, activities, or rules, and sometimes carries a more serious or official implication. The school decided to suspend classes due to the snowstorm. The company will suspend its operations during the investigation.
defer	Often used to suggest delaying an action or event to a later time, usually with the connotation of consultation, consideration, or consent. We will defer the decision until we have more information. She decided to defer her university studies for a year.

Examples of usage

The judge decided to adjourn the court until the following day.
We will adjourn the meeting and continue the discussion next week.

Interesting Facts

Law

In court proceedings, 'adjourn' is often used to pause the session until a later date, allowing for continuation of legal discussions.
Legislative bodies like parliaments frequently adjourn their sessions, enabling lawmakers to take breaks and regroup before making decisions.
Adjournment may lead to a 'recess' or 'suspension', which indicates a temporary halt on proceedings rather than a permanent end.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, formally adjourning a meeting often includes rituals, such as saying 'thank you' or closing remarks to acknowledge contributions.
The phrase 'adjourned' has become a common cue in conference settings, letting participants know it’s time to network or socialize.
Some cultural events, like weddings or festivals, may have ceremonial adjournments that signify the completion of one phase before another begins.

Business

In business meetings, adjourning signals either the end of a strategic discussion or a pause before critical decision-making steps.
Effective leaders know when to adjourn meetings to avoid fatigue and keep their teams engaged for future sessions.
Minutes of meetings typically document when and how meetings are adjourned, highlighting the importance of organization in professional settings.

Origin of 'adjourn'

Main points about word origin

The term originates from Middle French 'ajourner', which means to 'put off' or 'defer'.
It can be traced back to the Latin word 'adjournare', composed of 'ad' (to) and 'diurnus' (daily), hinting at time-related scheduling.
The word first appeared in English literature in the late 14th century, showcasing its long-standing presence in formal language.

The word 'adjourn' originated from the Middle English word 'adjornen', which came from the Old French word 'ajorner', meaning 'to postpone'. The usage of 'adjourn' in English dates back to the 14th century, and it has been commonly used in legal and parliamentary contexts to indicate the temporary suspension of proceedings.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,983, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10980 advocating
10981 singly
10982 reinstatement
10983 adjourn
10984 detectable
10985 vinyl
10986 capturing
...

Adjourn Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations