Periodic Adjournment - Project Open Gov

The formal procedural term for a recess.

Also used as: periodic adjournment, periodic adjournments, formal recess, formal adjournment for recess

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament glossary entry on recess

Last reviewed: 23 August 2026

A periodic adjournment is the formal procedural term for a recess. It describes an agreed break in parliamentary sittings during a session. For most readers, the ordinary word recess will be clearer, but periodic adjournment may appear in parliamentary material and formal records.

Related terms

Adjournment DebateA debate, usually on a specific issue, held without a vote on a substantive motion.Non-sitting DayA day when a House of Parliament is not meeting to conduct ordinary business.RecessA break during a parliamentary session when the Houses do not meet to conduct business.SittingA meeting of either House of Parliament, or of a committee.