What does it mean to adjourn a meeting?

To adjourn a meeting means to formally close the meeting or session. This action signifies that the meeting has concluded and that members should disperse. It is an official termination of the proceedings, rather than merely taking a break or postponing to another time.

When a meeting is adjourned, any ongoing discussions or business activities are halted, and the agenda is considered finished for that gathering. This can occur after all agenda items have been addressed or when there is a consensus among members that no further discussion is necessary.

In contrast, actions like postponing a meeting imply that the meeting will be continued at another scheduled time, while conducting a vote may be part of the meeting process but does not imply closure. A recess temporarily halts the meeting but does not end it, signaling that members will reconvene shortly. Thus, the term "adjourn" specifically refers to the final closure of the meeting.