plenum

noun

ple·​num ˈple-nəm  ˈplē- 

1

a

: a space or all space every part of which is full of matter

b

: an air-filled space in a structure

especially : one that receives air from a blower for distribution (as in a ventilation system)

2

: a general assembly of all members especially of a legislative body

3

: the quality or state of being full

Examples of plenum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Citizen plenums are formulating demands for better governance and greater economic justice -- and some cantons have already accepted demands to curb certain perks of government officials. —Milada Vachudova, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2014

Emphasizing short-term economic policies is rare in the history of the third plenums, said Larry Hu, chief China economist for Macquarie Group. —Laura He, CNN, 19 July 2024

The plan, along with some other key reforms, were released in a resolution three days after the country’s leadership concluded China’s third plenum, a major political gathering in Beijing which takes place every five years. —Laura He, CNN, 23 July 2024

The Knesset plenum in February voted 99-11 to back the government’s decision to reject any unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood. —Amelie Botbol, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin plēnum, noun derivative from neuter of plēnus "full"; (sense 1a) after its use in the Lucullus book of Cicero's Academica to denote a space completely filled with matter (distinguished from ināne or vacuum "empty space"); (sense 2) apparently first from its use in Sweden in the eighteenth century to refer to a meeting of all members of the Riksdag — more at full entry 1

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a