quorum

[ kwawr-uhm, kwohr- ]

noun

1. the number of members of a group or organization required to be present to transact business legally, usually a majority.
2. a particularly chosen group.

quorum

/ ˈkwɔːrəm /

noun

1. a minimum number of members in an assembly, society, board of directors, etc, required to be present before any valid business can be transacted

   we don't have a quorum

   the quorum is forty

quorum

1. The minimum number of members of a committee or legislative body who must be present before business can officially or legally be conducted. In the United States Congress , for example, either house must have a majority (218 in the House of Representatives , 51 in the Senate ) to have a quorum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quorum¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin quōrum “of whom”; from its use in Latin legal formulas for commissioning justices of the peace

Word History and Origins

Origin of quorum¹

C15: from Latin, literally: of whom, occurring in Latin commissions in the formula quorum vos…duos (etc) volumus of whom we wish that you be…two

Example Sentences

Politically, Hezbollah has enough seats with its allies to thwart quorum in parliament even as many of its MPs have maintained a lower profile for fear of drawing Israeli fire.

From Los Angeles Times

After a quorum was finally established, Congress counted and certified the electoral vote on April 6, 1789.

From Salon

Crockett’s acumen as a party messenger showed early signs as a state representative, when she was an architect of a 2021 state House Democratic quorum break to stall the passage of Republican-led voting legislation.

From Salon

The lawsuit alleged that even though a quorum of board members didn’t attend any of the meetings, enough of them participated to influence changes to the plan in violation of the state open meetings law.

From Seattle Times

It also gives the justices the independence to address unique circumstances, such as the minimum quorum required to hear a case or what happens if a justice shows signs of cognitive decline.

From Seattle Times