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."
"We can discuss the issue tonight but cannot vote until we have a quorum."
How to use quorum
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- quorums, quora
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.
Rhymes for quorum
See all rhymes for quorum →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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