Definition
A procedure checking whether enough members are present to conduct business, ostensibly ensuring democratic legitimacy but often used as a time-killing delay tactic. It's parliamentary stalling disguised as attendance monitoring.
Example Usage
The senator suggested the absence of a quorum, triggering a 45-minute quorum call while staff negotiated the amendment language in the cloakroom.
Origin
Ancient parliamentary requirement that sufficient members be present for valid proceedings
Fun Fact
In the Senate, quorum calls are almost never completed—they're interrupted once the desired delay is achieved, meaning the chamber routinely conducts business without actually confirming a quorum exists.
Source: Senate procedure documentation and parliamentary tactics research
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “quorum call” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator