session

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "session" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a period of time during which an activity or event takes place. For example, "Tonight's session of the book club will discuss Chapter 4 of the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In order to get the most from the Guardian Masterclass, you should ensure you arrive promptly and attend each session in full.

The Guardian

The course will have places for 12 participants who will meet for one three-hour session per week (6.30pm - 9.30pm) for a period of six months at the Guardian Building, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian

Offering Scotland more power over tax rates, spending and welfare, the proposals would be ready for implementation in the first Westminster parliamentary session after the 2015 general election, the chancellor added.

The Guardian

What do you eat on the morning of a hard session?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The course will have places for 12 participants who will meet for one three-hour session per week (6.30pm-9.30pm) for a period of six months at the Guardian building at Kings Place, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian

For me the lull before the storm was illustrated by the complacent attitude of the Federal Reserve's vice-chairman Stanley Fischer, in his question and answer session after the annual Per Jacobsson lecture – not least when he dismissed that great central banking veteran Paul Volcker's call for a more structured international financial system.

The Guardian

The German chancellor, who pleaded with Britain in a speech to a joint session of parliament on Thursday to remain a "strong voice" within the EU, declared in Downing Street that a deal was "doable" though she warned that the negotiations would not be a "piece of cake".

The Guardian

Merkel kicked off her day with a speech to a joint session of parliament in the royal gallery, which is decorated with the Daniel Maclise portrait of the meeting of the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian field marshal Blücher before the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.

The Guardian

We left the Mad Men universe with Don, moving from a group therapy session in which a man named Leonard told him about a dream of being left unwanted in a fridge, to Draper meditating on the cliffs of Big Sur.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His was less a question and answer session and more an extended excuse for the audience to tell him how disappointed they were in him.

The Guardian

Instead, in honour of James Arthur, he or she will be signed by Syco and given a full course of social media training, with exams and lectures given on Twitter (including the art of retweeting and when to just keep quiet), Instagram (featuring a session on fitting your entire fan message into a 15-second video) and general Facebook "content".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "session" to clearly define a dedicated time for a specific activity, ensuring your audience understands the focused nature of that period.

Common error

Avoid using "session" loosely as a synonym for "meeting". While they can overlap, "session" implies a specific activity or purpose within that timeframe, whereas "meeting" is more general. Instead of saying "the session was called to order", use the more appropriate term "meeting".

Linguistic Context

The word "session" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a specific period or meeting dedicated to a particular activity. Ludwig examples show this in contexts ranging from training sessions to legislative sessions. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "session" is a versatile noun denoting a defined period for a specific activity or meeting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As demonstrated by the Ludwig examples from diverse sources like The Guardian and BBC, it fits seamlessly into contexts spanning news, business, and academia. It's essential to distinguish "session" from the broader term "meeting", reserving it for occasions with a clearly defined purpose. When seeking alternatives, consider "meeting", "period", or "gathering", depending on the context. By understanding its function, purpose, and typical contexts, you can confidently and accurately employ "session" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meeting

Refers to a gathering of people for a specific purpose, similar to a "session" in a formal context.

period

Denotes a specific length of time, akin to a "session's" duration.

gathering

Describes a group of people coming together, similar to attendees of a "session".

conference

Suggests a more formal and larger-scale "session".

workshop

Implies a practical, hands-on "session" focused on skill-building.

hearing

Relates to a legal or investigative "session".

forum

Highlights a "session" for open discussion and exchange of ideas.

term

Refers to a specific period of time, such as in academic context, quite similar to "session".

congress

Suggests a large and formal assembly, similar to a parliamentary "session".

plenary

Indicates a "session" where all members of an organization are present.

FAQs

How can I use "session" in a sentence?

You can use "session" to refer to a period devoted to a specific activity, like "The training session will focus on improving our teamwork skills." or to a meeting of a legislative body, as in "The court is now in session."

What's the difference between "session" and "meeting"?

While both terms refer to a gathering, "session" often implies a specific activity or purpose within the timeframe, whereas "meeting" is a more general term. Therefore, you might attend a board "meeting" that includes a dedicated training "session".

What can I say instead of "session"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "meeting", "period", or "gathering". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "session" to describe a therapy appointment?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "session" to describe a therapy appointment. For example, "I have a therapy session scheduled for next week."