plenum

[ plee-nuhm, plen-uhm ]

noun

, plural ple·nums, ple·na [plee, -n, uh, plen, -, uh].

1. the state or a space in which a gas, usually air, is contained at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
2. a full assembly, as a joint legislative assembly.
3. a space, usually above a ceiling or below a floor, that can serve as a receiving chamber for air that has been heated or cooled to be distributed to inhabited areas.
4. the whole of space regarded as being filled with matter ( vacuum ).

plenum

/ ˈpliːnəm /

noun

1. an enclosure containing gas at a higher pressure than the surrounding environment
2. a fully attended meeting or assembly, esp of a legislative body
3. (esp in the philosophy of the Stoics) space regarded as filled with matter Compare vacuum
4. the condition or quality of being full

Word History and Origins

Origin of plenum¹

1670–80; < Latin, neuter of plēnus full ¹, in the phrase plēnum ( spatium ) full (space)

Word History and Origins

Origin of plenum¹

C17: from Latin: space filled by matter, from plēnus full

Example Sentences

An expected Communist party plenum, which is likely to take place in November and traditionally focuses on reforms, could disappoint those awaiting big changes.

From Reuters

Still, the coalition looked set to bring the bill to the plenum on Sunday for final votes before the July 30 recess.

From Reuters

The title of this song translates as “To Move Your Feet,” and the horns-driven band gives it an unbeatable salsa groove rooted in Puerto Rican plena.

From New York Times

"Since I last spoke in this building the scourge of war is back in Europe," he told a packed plenum.

From Reuters

That appeared to refer to the Knesset plenum's approval in final readings on Wednesday of a law setting up a new national immigration database linked with airline passenger manifests.

From Reuters

Related Words

• completeness
• saturation
• totality
• wholeness