quorum

The minimum number of members of a deliberative body (parliament, board, committee) who must be present for proceedings to be valid.

• (used as a standalone term)

• quorum of members
• achieve a quorum
• lack a quorum
• quorum requirement
• quorum present

1. 1.The board meeting was postponed because only four of twelve directors attended, falling short of the seven-member quorum. (minimum attendance)
2. 2.Some legislatures have been known to play quorum games — the minority party walks out to deny the majority enough members to conduct business. (procedural tactic)

• minimum number (descriptive)
• threshold— the point at which something takes effect

from Latin "quorum" (of whom) — from the phrase in commissions: "quorum vos ... unum esse volumus" (of whom we wish you ... to be one) — specifying key members who must be present