congress

noun

con·​gress ˈkäŋ-grəs How to pronounce congress (audio)
also -rəs
British usually ˈkäŋ-ˌgres
Synonyms of congressnext
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 How to pronounce congress (audio)
kän-
adjective
congressionally adverb

Synonyms of congress

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bolsonaro's slate of congressional candidates also fared well, ensuring that Brazil will have one of the most conservative congresses in years, and a legislative branch aligned with Bolsonaro's goals, or ready to thwart Lula's agenda. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Four of the 12 presentations slotted in the presidential sessions at this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology’s congress featured AZ medicines. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 25 Oct. 2026 About 50 organizations have called for a protest against the far right on the sidelines of the two-day congress of Marine Le Pen's nationalist, anti-immigration party ahead of next spring's presidential election. — Elitsa Gadeva, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 Thousands also marched Saturday in Orléans, south of Paris, in a separate peaceful protest against the far right as Le Pen’s National Rally held a two-day congress in the city. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for congress

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of congress was in 1528

Phrases Containing congress

Browse Nearby Words

congregator
congress
Congress cap
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Cite this Entry

“Congress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congress. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

congress

noun
con·​gress ˈkäŋ-grəs How to pronounce congress (audio)
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

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