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noun Uncommon

quorum

KWAW-ruhm

Quorum (noun) means the minimum number of members who must be present for a group to conduct official business or hold a valid vote. Example: “Only twelve of the twenty board members showed up, so they failed to reach a quorum.”

noun
1
The minimum number of members who must be present for a group to conduct official business or hold a valid vote.
"Only twelve of the twenty board members showed up, so they failed to reach a quorum."
"The meeting was postponed because they could not achieve a quorum."

How to use quorum

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe smallest number of people who need to show up before a group can officially vote or make decisions.

Common pairings
reach a quorum lack a quorum quorum of members

Word forms

quorums plural, quora plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Only twelve of the twenty board members showed up, so they failed to reach a _____.

Etymology

From a Latin legal phrase meaning "of whom we want you to be one," originally used to name specific people required to be part of an official commission.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for quorum

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Frequently asked questions

What does “quorum” mean?

The word “quorum” means the minimum number of members who must be present for a group to conduct official business or hold a valid vote. In plain terms, the smallest number of people who need to show up before a group can officially vote or make decisions.

How do you pronounce “quorum”?

“Quorum” is pronounced KWAW-ruhm (/ˈkwɔːɹəm/ in IPA).

How do you use “quorum” in a sentence?

Here is “quorum” used in a sentence: “Only twelve of the twenty board members showed up, so they failed to reach a quorum.”

What part of speech is “quorum”?

“Quorum” is a noun.

Where does the word “quorum” come from?

The word “quorum” comes from Latin. From a Latin legal phrase meaning "of whom we want you to be one," originally used to name specific people required to be part of an official commission.

Is “quorum” a common word?

“Quorum” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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