motion to adjourn

noun phrase

1. A formal request made to a meeting or assembly that it stop for the day, or until a stated time, and be continued later; the members then vote on it.

   C1

   countable; formalformal; parliamentary procedure

   • "The chair called for a vote on the motion to adjourn."B1
   • "After a lengthy debate, the members approved the motion to adjourn until the following morning."B2
   • "The motion to adjourn was defeated, so the debate continued until midnight."C1
   • "Under the standing orders, a motion to adjourn may be moved without prior notice and takes precedence over other business."C2

2. A formal application asking a court or tribunal to postpone a hearing or proceedings to a later date.

   C1

   countableformal; legal

   • "The defence lawyer filed a motion to adjourn the hearing."B2
   • "The judge granted the motion to adjourn so that new evidence could be examined."C1