Quorum

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Quorum


Quorum

Quick Summary of Quorum


The minimum attendance required to conduct business at a meeting. Usually, a quorum is achieved if a majority of directors are present (for directors meetings) or outstanding shares are represented (for shareholder meetings). The percentage needed for a quorum may be modified in the bylaws.




What is the dictionary definition of Quorum?

Dictionary Definition


  1. The minimum number of members required for a group to officially conduct business and to cast votes, often but not necessarily a majority or supermajority.
  2. A selected body of persons.

n. the number of people required to be present before a meeting can conduct business. Unless stated differently in bylaws, articles, regulations or other rules established by the organization, a quorum is usually a majority of members. A quorum for meetings of corporate boards of directors, homeowners’ associations, clubs and shareholders meetings are usually set in the bylaws. The quorum for meetings of governmental bodies such as commissions and boards are usually set by statute.


Full Definition of Quorum


The fixed minimum number of eligible members or stockholders who must be present (physically or by proxy) at a meeting before any official business may be transacted or a decision taken therein becomes legally binding. Usually, the articles of association or bylaws of a firm specify this number, otherwise, the number prescribed in corporate legislation (such as company law) is followed.

In law, a quorum is the minimum number of members of a decision-making group necessary to conduct the business of that group. Legislative chambers, international organizations, and corporate boards of directors all generally make decisions only when they have quorum. Quorum is generally defined for any deliberative group within that group’s charter. The most common quorum is a simple majority. In the absence of quorum, a group will be unable to vote on any actions that require its decision. For instance, quorum is defined for both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the US Constitution. The walking out of a meeting or failing to show for it at all by a subgroup is an effective way of blocking action. Such a measure is known as breaking quorum.


Synonyms For Quorum


convention, assembly, meeting, congregation, board


Cite Term


To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.

Page URL
https://payrollheaven.com/define/quorum/
Modern Language Association (MLA):
Quorum. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
March 28, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/quorum/.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):
Quorum. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/quorum/ (accessed: March 28, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Quorum. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/quorum/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Quorum are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 30th April, 2020 | 0 Views.