congress

noun

con·​gress ˈkäŋ-grəs 

 also  -rəs,

 British usually  ˈkäŋ-ˌgres

1

a

: the act or action of coming together and meeting

b

: coitus

2

or Congress : a formal meeting of delegates for discussion and usually action on some question

the Congress of Vienna

3

or Congress

a

: the supreme legislative body of a nation and especially of a republic

b

: the legislative branch of the U.S. government

specifically : a session of the U.S. House of Representatives

the 112th Congress

4

or Congress : an association usually made up of delegates from constituent organizations

the World Energy Congress

5

or Congress : a single meeting or session of a group

congressional

kən-ˈgre-sh(ə-)nəl 

kän-

adjective

congressionally adverb

Synonyms of congress

• parliament
• legislature

Examples of congress in a Sentence

She was recently elected to the country's congress.

the congresses of Mexico and Chile

The bill easily passed both houses of Congress.

Congress is not currently in session.

Recent Examples on the Web

The foundation hosts biannual congresses, with panels devoted to discussing recent threats to the rule of law, and awarding honors to lawyers who defend it. —Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

More than 300 full and non-voting delegates of the powerful Central Committee will gather in Beijing for the closed-door plenum, one of seven meetings typically held within five years, between party congresses. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025

And then, with a supportive congress, get his economic program on track and investors onside once again. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing. —Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin congressus, from congredi to come together, from com- + gradi to go — more at grade entry 1

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing congress

• congress person

Kids Definition

congress

noun

con·​gress ˈkäŋ-grəs 

1

: a formal meeting of delegates for discussion and action

2

: the chief lawmaking body of a nation and especially of a republic that in the U.S. is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives

3

: an association of organizations having a common interest

congressional

kən-ˈgresh-nəl

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

congressionally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

congress

noun

con·​gress

ˈkäŋ-grəs also -rəs, British usually ˈkäŋ-ˌgres

: coitus

Legal Definition

congress

noun

con·​gress

1

: a formal meeting of delegates

2

a

: the supreme legislative body of a nation and especially a republic

b

capitalized : the legislative branch of the United States government

specifically : the U.S. House of Representatives

3

capitalized

a

: the U.S. legislature as it is composed for an enumerated two-year period

the 101st Congress

b

: a single session of the U.S. legislature see also house of representatives, senate

congressional adjective

congressionally adverb

Etymology

Latin congressus meeting, encounter, from congredi to approach, meet