a plenary session

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plenary session" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts, such as conferences or meetings, to refer to a session where all participants are present and can engage in discussions or decision-making. Example: "The conference will conclude with a plenary session where all attendees can share their insights and ask questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Results from the groups were briefed the following morning at a plenary session.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The European Parliament during a plenary session in 2014.

Yale University

A plenary session of a big day we had was about private health insurance.

The Guardian

The subject could be raised at a plenary session tomorrow of its Human Contacts committee.

The Guardian

Those will open with a plenary session involving all delegates from 10 a.m. until lunch.

The New York Times

This paper was developed based on a plenary session presentation at HTR-2006 wonch won Best Paper.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

"This is the first year that the issue has been presented at a plenary session," she said.

The Guardian - Business

Friday consisted of a plenary session on grassroots, community-based efforts to address climate change.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Quitt welcomes his rivals, three stiffshirted businessmen and a prosperous queen of advertising to a plenary session of business chicanery.

The New York Times

Larry Lemke, a robotics expert from NASA's Ames Research Center in California, told a plenary session about one winged mission.

MIT Technology Review

That evening, at a plenary session, a delegate from Mississippi read a transcript of ten single-spaced pages of soul session, taken down the previous night.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a plenary session" when referring to a meeting where all members or participants of a group, organization, or conference are present.

Common error

Avoid substituting "plenary" with "preliminary". "Plenary" means fully attended, while "preliminary" means initial or preparatory. Using the wrong term can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plenary session" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a meeting or session that is fully attended by all members of a group or organization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plenary session" refers to a formal meeting attended by all members of a group or organization, commonly used in professional, academic, and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It functions as a noun phrase and is used to describe gatherings for important discussions or decisions. While alternatives like "a general session" or "an all-member meeting" exist, "a plenary session" is a specific term best used when emphasizing full attendance and participation. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding terms like "preliminary."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general session

Replaces 'plenary' with 'general', indicating a session open to all attendees but potentially less formal or decisive.

a full session

Substitutes 'plenary' with 'full', emphasizing complete attendance and participation.

a complete session

Replaces 'plenary' with 'complete', highlighting the session's comprehensive nature and coverage.

a formal session

Substitutes 'plenary' with 'formal', underscoring the structured and official nature of the session.

a common session

Changes 'plenary' to 'common', implying a shared or collective session for all members.

an all-member meeting

Replaces 'plenary session' with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the inclusivity of the meeting.

a public session

Replaces 'plenary' with 'public', suggesting a session open to the general public.

an assembly session

Changes the structure, using 'assembly' to denote a gathering and 'session' to indicate its duration.

a parliamentary session

Replaces 'plenary' with 'parliamentary', specifying a session within a parliamentary context.

a conference-wide meeting

Emphasizes that the meeting involves the entire conference.

FAQs

How is "a plenary session" typically used in a conference setting?

In a conference, "a plenary session" usually involves all attendees and often features keynote speakers, major announcements, or summaries of the conference's key themes.

What's the difference between "a plenary session" and smaller breakout sessions?

"A plenary session" involves all participants, while breakout sessions are smaller, more focused groups discussing specific topics in detail. Plenary sessions often summarize or integrate the findings from these smaller sessions.

What can I say instead of "a plenary session"?

You can use alternatives like "a general session", "a full session", or "an all-member meeting" depending on the context.

Is "a plenary session" formal or informal?

"A plenary session" is generally considered a formal term, often used in professional, academic, or organizational contexts. It implies a structured and significant meeting involving all members.