Congress

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈkɑŋɡɹɛs/
• RP IPA: /ˈkɒŋɡɹɛs/

Origin

From Latin congressum, the past participle of congredi 'to go or come together', itself from con- + gradi 'to go or step'.

Full definition of congress

Noun

1. (archaic) A coming-together of two or more people; a meeting.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York Review of Books, 2001, p. 48:After some little repast, he went to see Democritus .... The multitude stood gazing round about to see the congress.
2. A formal gathering or assembly; a conference held to discuss or decide on a specific question.
3. (often capitalized: Congress) A legislative body of a state, originally the bicameral legislature of the United States of America.
4. An association, especially one consisting of other associations or representatives of interest groups.The National Congress of American Indians
5. Coitus; Sexual intercourse.

Synonyms

• (legislative body) assembly, legislature, parliament
• (association) federation

Derived terms

• congressional, congressionally
• congressman
• congress gaiter, congress shoe
• Congress Party