French word

séance

Pronunciation

IPA/seɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsession

Example

La séance commencera à quinze heures.

The session will begin at 3 p.m.

Illustration for séance (session)

More examples

La séance de cinéma a commencé avec du retard.

The film screening started late.

Core concept

One bounded block on a timetable, bringing people together for a common event or task.

Common phrases

  • séance de cinéma

    film screening

  • séance photo

    photo shoot

  • séance de travail

    work session

Similar words

réunion: A meeting held to discuss matters with other people.
session: A defined period devoted to a particular purpose.
projection: A scheduled film screening.
rencontre: A social gathering where people meet one another.

Definition in French

Unité de temps durant laquelle des personnes se rassemblent pour participer à une activité commune ou assister à un évènement programmé, comme une séance de cinéma ou un tournage.

Word origin

The noun séance is formed from the family of French seoir, 'to sit', which descends from Latin sedēre and relates the word to a period of sitting together.

Usage tips

  • English 'session' often translates séance, but French séance commonly means one specific scheduled occurrence, while session can denote a broader period of work or activity.

Other meanings

  • screeningnoun
  • photo shootnoun
  • seancenoun

Word lists with this word