congress
(initial capital letter)
the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives, or lower house, as a continuous institution.
this body as it exists for a period of two years during which it has the same membership: the Ninety-Seventh Congress.
a session of this body: to speak in Congress.
the national legislative body of a nation, especially of a republic.
a formal meeting or assembly of representatives for the discussion, arrangement, or promotion of some matter of common interest.
an association, especially one composed of representatives of various organizations.
familiar relations; dealings intercourse.
to assemble together; meet in congress.
Origin of congress
1Other words for congress
Other words from congress
- pre-Congress, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use congress in a sentence
Zen centers may be no better than churches, corporations, and congresses, but they are surely no worse.
The Shocking Scandal at the Heart of American Zen | Jay Michaelson | November 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAs long as Congresses and Presidents exasperate each other, Schlesinger will have an audience, and an afterlife.
The Man with the President’s Ear, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. and JFK | Ted Widmer | October 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhy do we allow lame-duck Congresses to stay in business for nearly as long?
Too Soon For 2016! How To End Our Endless Presidential Election Season | Raymond A. Smith | January 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTTo the extent that his wins prove injurious, future Republican Congresses and administrations will struggle to undo them.
Fellow Conservatives, Ease Off the Doom and Gloom | David Frum | November 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTEach of those shocks or delayed recoveries correlated to presidents disagreeing with Congresses of a different party.
To practical Englishmen most of these international congresses seem to arrive at nothing else.
Orley Farm | Anthony TrollopeYou hear it in the loud, clear, but more restrained tones of Congresses and Conferences.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind | Herbert George WellsIn short, international conferences and congresses act like legislatures between nations.
It is reckoned good business to have one on exhibition at Congresses and Conferences.
Flowers of Freethought | George W. FooteHe was not called on to make good his promise, but was sent to the two continental congresses.
The Siege of Boston | Allen French
British Dictionary definitions for congress (1 of 2)
/ (ˈkɒŋɡrɛs) /
a meeting or conference, esp of representatives of a number of sovereign states
a national legislative assembly
a society or association
sexual intercourse
Origin of congress
1British Dictionary definitions for Congress (2 of 2)
/ (ˈkɒŋɡrɛs) /
the bicameral federal legislature of the US, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate
this body during any two-year term
Also called: Congress Party (in India) a major political party, which controlled the Union government from 1947 to 1977: Official name: Indian National Congress
Derived forms of Congress
- Congressional, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for Congress
The legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Popularly elected, senators and representatives are responsible for advocating the interests of the constituents they represent. Numerous congressional committees are organized to study issues of public policy, recommend action, and, ultimately, pass laws. Congress plays an important role in the system of checks and balances; in fact, the two-house (bicameral) organization of Congress acts as an internal check, for each house must separately vote to pass a bill for it to become a law. In addition to lawmaking, Congress has a variety of functions, including appropriation of funds for executive and judicial activities; instituting taxes and regulating commerce; declaring war and raising and supporting a military; setting up federal courts and conducting impeachment proceedings; and approving presidential appointments.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse