Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal meeting of delegates for discussion and action: A gathering of representatives, often from different groups or nations, to discuss specific matters.
   • A national legislative body: The primary law-making assembly of a nation, especially a republic.
   • (Often capitalized: Congress) The federal legislature of the United States of America: The bicameral institution comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.
   • (Formal/Archaic) A coming together; an encounter.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The international congress on climate change attracted scientists from around the world.
  • The new tax law was passed by the national congress.
  • The U.S. Congress will vote on the bill next week.
  • (Archaic) The congress of those two great minds led to a brilliant discovery.

Advanced Usage

• "in congress": Assembled in a formal meeting.
  • The delegates were in congress for three days to draft the treaty.
• "act of congress": A statute formally enacted by the U.S. Congress.
  • This national park was established by an act of Congress.

Variants and Related Words

• Congressional (adj): Pertaining to a congress, especially the U.S. Congress.
  • The congressional committee held hearings on the issue.
• Congressperson (n): A member of the U.S. Congress (used as a gender-neutral term).
  • She is the congressperson for our district.

Synonyms

• Assembly: A group of people gathered together for a common purpose.
• Legislature: The body of government responsible for making laws.
• Convention: A large formal meeting of members of a profession or interest group.

Related Phrases

• Member of Congress (MOC): An elected official serving in the U.S. Congress (Senator or Representative).
  • Our Member of Congress supports the new infrastructure plan.

Related Idioms

• A lame-duck Congress: A Congress that meets after its successor has been elected, but before the successor's term begins, often seen as having diminished power.
  • The bill is unlikely to pass in the lame-duck Congress.

Noun

1. the act of sexual procreation between a man and a woman; the man's penis is inserted into the woman's vagina and excited until orgasm and ejaculation occur
2. a national legislative assembly
3. a meeting of elected or appointed representatives
4. the legislature of the United States government