Quick answer
Adjournment means a temporary suspension or formal ending of a meeting or proceeding. It is usually pronounced uh-JURN-munt, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Adjournment
Adjournment means a temporary suspension or formal ending of a meeting or proceeding. It belongs to bureaucratic and academic absurdities and works best in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
bureaucraticacademicjargon
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, adjournment refers to a temporary suspension or formal ending of a meeting or proceeding. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Adjournment feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Adjournment is generally traced to from French and Latin roots meaning “to defer to another day”. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Adjournment is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
Example sentences
- The committee voted for adjournment just before midnight.
- After two hours of argument, the chair called for adjournment.
- The court announced adjournment until Monday morning.
- Everyone welcomed the adjournment, even those still pretending to enjoy the meeting.
When should you use this word?
Use adjournment when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
Similar words
Recess, Suspension, Postponement, Closing, Deferral
Opposite or contrasting words
Convening, Resumption, Opening session
Common questions
- What does adjournment mean? A temporary suspension or formal ending of a meeting or proceeding.
- How do you pronounce adjournment? It is commonly pronounced uh-JURN-munt.
- Is adjournment still used today? Adjournment is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
- When should you use adjournment? Use adjournment when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
- What words are similar to adjournment? Similar words include Recess, Suspension, Postponement, and Closing.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.