Meeting vs. Session — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on January 11, 2024
A meeting is a gathering of people for discussion or decision-making. A session is a period devoted to a specific activity or purpose, often within a larger event.
Difference Between Meeting and Session
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A meeting typically refers to a formal or informal assembly of individuals to discuss ideas, make decisions, or exchange information. A session, however, usually indicates a period during which a specific activity or series of activities takes place, often as part of a larger event or process.
Meetings can occur in various settings, from corporate boardrooms to casual coffee shops, and often involve planning, discussion, or problem-solving. Sessions, in contrast, might refer to periods within conferences, workshops, or legislative bodies, focusing on particular topics or tasks.
The duration of a meeting can vary widely, from brief check-ins to extended strategic planning sessions, but it's generally a single, standalone event. A session often denotes a continuous period dedicated to a specific purpose, possibly recurring as part of a larger schedule.
In business, meetings are common for team updates, client negotiations, or stakeholder consultations. In educational or professional development contexts, sessions might include training modules, lecture series, or therapy appointments.
The outcome of a meeting is typically a set of decisions, action items, or shared understandings. The goal of a session could be learning, therapy, discussion, or legislative debate, with outcomes more diverse and context-specific.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A gathering for discussion or decision-making
A period devoted to a specific activity or purpose
Context
Business, social, community
Conferences, workshops, therapy, legislative bodies
Duration
Varies, often a single event
Can be a part of a series or a longer event
Purpose
Planning, negotiating, problem-solving
Learning, discussing, therapeutic interaction
Outcome
Decisions, action items, shared understandings
Knowledge gain, therapy progress, legislative debate
Compare with Definitions
Meeting
A gathering of people for discussion or decision-making.
We resolved the issue at the team meeting.
Session
A continuous meeting segment within a larger event.
The morning session at the conference was enlightening.
Meeting
An assembly for sharing information or ideas.
The annual shareholders' meeting is next month.
Session
A scheduled part of a course or lecture series.
Today's session covers advanced mathematics.
Meeting
A planned encounter between two or more people.
I have a meeting with a client this afternoon.
Session
A period devoted to a particular activity or discussion.
The training session improved our skills.
Meeting
A meeting is when two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal or business setting, but meetings also occur in a variety of other environments. Many various types of meetings exist.
Session
A legislative or parliamentary period of work.
The bill was discussed in today's session.
Meeting
The act or process or an instance of coming together; an encounter.
Session
A meeting of an official body, especially a legislature, council, or court of law, to conduct its business
The governor called this week's special session to reconsider the decision
Meeting
A convening for specific objectives or tasks.
The emergency meeting addressed the recent crisis.
Session
A period devoted to a particular activity
Gym is followed by a training session
Meeting
An informal or formal gathering for various purposes.
We had an impromptu meeting over coffee.
Session
A regular period for therapy or counseling.
Her therapy sessions are every Tuesday.
Meeting
The act of persons or things that meet.
Meeting him will be exciting.
I enjoy meeting new people.
Session
The governing body of a Presbyterian Church.
Meeting
An assembly or gathering of people, as for a business, social, or religious purpose.
Session
A meeting of a legislative or judicial body for the purpose of transacting business.
Meeting
A gathering of persons for a purpose; an assembly.
We need to have a meeting about that soon.
Session
A series of such meetings.
Meeting
(collective) The people at such a gathering.
What has the meeting decided.
Session
The term or duration of time that is taken by such a series of meetings.
Meeting
An encounter between people, even accidental.
They came together in a chance meeting on the way home from work.
Session
The part of a year or of a day during which a school holds classes.
Meeting
A place or instance of junction or intersection; a confluence.
Earthquakes occur at the meeting of tectonic plates.
Session
A period of time devoted to a specific activity
A recording session at a music studio.
A login session that was disrupted by a power outage.
Meeting
A religious service held by a charismatic preacher in small towns in the United States.
Session
A period devoted to a particular activity, e.g. the annual or semiannual periods of a legislative body (that together comprise the legislative term) whose individual meetings are also called sessions.
A training session
"Are we having a recording session?" / "Yes. We've even got some session musicians to provide some brass."
Meeting
(Quakerism) An administrative unit in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Denver meeting is a part of Intermountain yearly meeting.
Session
A meeting of a council, court, school, or legislative body to conduct its business.
This court is now in session.
Meeting
Present participle of meet
Session
(computing) The sequence of interactions between client and server, or between user and system; the period during which a user is logged in or connected.
Logging out or shutting down the computer will end your session.
Meeting
A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of Congress.
Session
(cricket) Any of the three scheduled two hour playing sessions, from the start of play to lunch, from lunch to tea and from tea to the close of play.
Meeting
A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the roads or of two rivers.
Session
(obsolete) The act of sitting, or the state of being seated.
Meeting
A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonious meeting.
Session
(music) jam session
Meeting
An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday; - in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Session
(education) An academic term
Meeting
A formally arranged gathering;
Next year the meeting will be in Chicago
The meeting elected a chairperson
Session
(beer) An extended period of drinking, typically consuming beer with low alcohol content.
Meeting
The social act of assembling for some common purpose;
His meeting with the salesmen was the high point of his day
Session
(music) To hold or participate in a jam session with other musicians.
Meeting
A small informal social gathering;
There was an informal meeting in my livingroom
Session
The act of sitting, or the state of being seated.
So much his ascension into heaven and his session at the right hand of God do import.
But Viven, gathering somewhat of his mood, . . . Leaped from her session on his lap, and stood.
Meeting
A casual or unexpected convergence;
He still remembers their meeting in Paris
There was a brief encounter in the hallway
Session
The actual sitting of a court, council, legislature, etc., or the actual assembly of the members of such a body, for the transaction of business.
It's fit this royal session do proceed.
Meeting
The act of joining together as one;
The merging of the two groups occurred quickly
There was no meeting of minds
Session
Hence, also, the time, period, or term during which a court, council, legislature, etc., meets daily for business; or, the space of time between the first meeting and the prorogation or adjournment; thus, a session of Parliaments is opened with a speech from the throne, and closed by prorogation. The session of a judicial court is called a term.
It was resolved that the convocation should meet at the beginning of the next session of Parliament.
Meeting
A place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers);
Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers
Session
A meeting for execution of a group's functions;
It was the opening session of the legislature
Session
The time during which a school holds classes;
They had to shorten the school term
Session
A meeting devoted to a particular activity;
A filming session
A gossip session
Session
A meeting of spiritualists;
The seance was held in the medium's parlor
Common Curiosities
Can a session be part of a meeting?
Yes, a session can be a specific segment within a larger meeting.
Are meetings always formal?
No, meetings can be either formal or informal, depending on the context and participants.
How long does a typical meeting last?
Meeting lengths vary, ranging from short 15-minute check-ins to several hours.
What activities happen in a session?
Sessions can involve activities like training, discussion, therapy, or legislative debate.
What's the difference between a workshop and a session?
A workshop is an event, which can consist of multiple sessions focused on practical activities.
Is a conference a type of session?
A conference is a larger event that can include multiple sessions on various topics.
What is the main purpose of a meeting?
The main purpose of a meeting is to discuss, decide, or share information on specific topics.
What's needed to prepare for a meeting?
Preparation often includes setting an agenda, defining goals, and gathering necessary materials.
What is a brainstorming meeting?
A brainstorming meeting is where participants generate and discuss new ideas creatively.
Are virtual meetings effective?
Yes, virtual meetings can be effective, especially with appropriate technology and planning.
Can a session recur regularly?
Yes, sessions, like therapy or training, often occur regularly.
Can a session be a solo activity?
Yes, sessions like study or meditation can be solo activities.
Can a session be informal?
Yes, some sessions, like brainstorming or informal discussions, can be informal.
What's the role of a facilitator in a meeting?
A facilitator guides the meeting, ensuring that objectives are met and discussions stay on track.
How do you conclude a meeting effectively?
Concluding a meeting effectively involves summarizing key points, defining next steps, and confirming responsibilities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
