Cloture: meaning, definitions and examples

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cloture

 

[ ˈkloʊtʃər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legislative procedure

Cloture is a procedure used in parliamentary procedure to bring a debate to a quick end. It is commonly utilized in legislative bodies to limit further consideration of a matter and to proceed to a vote. The purpose of cloture is to prevent a prolonged debate that might lead to obstruction or filibustering. In the U.S. Senate, a cloture motion requires a supermajority of votes to succeed and can effectively limit how long senators can debate a particular issue.

Synonyms

closure, end, termination

Examples of usage

  • The senator invoked cloture to end the debate on the bill.
  • They gathered enough votes to file a cloture motion.
  • Cloture is essential to maintaining legislative efficiency.

Translations

Translations of the word "cloture" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fechamento

🇮🇳 समापन

🇩🇪 Schluss

🇮🇩 penutupan

🇺🇦 закриття

🇵🇱 zamknięcie

🇯🇵 閉会

🇫🇷 clôture

🇪🇸 cierre

🇹🇷 kapanış

🇰🇷 폐쇄

🇸🇦 إغلاق

🇨🇿 uzávěrka

🇸🇰 uzávierka

🇨🇳 关闭

🇸🇮 zaključek

🇮🇸 lokun

🇰🇿 жабу

🇬🇪 დახურვა

🇦🇿 bağlama

🇲🇽 cierre

Etymology

The term 'cloture' comes from the French word 'clôture,' meaning 'closure' or 'fence.' The word has been used in the context of legislative procedures since the late 19th century. Its adoption into English parliamentary language reflects the need for formal mechanisms to manage debate and decision-making processes within legislative assemblies. Cloture was first implemented in the United States Senate in 1917, partly in response to concerns about excessive filibustering. Since then, it has played a crucial role in American legislative practice. Its essence remains the same—providing a means to curtail debate and facilitate more efficient governance.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,548, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.