noun
congress
KONG-grehs
noun
1
A formal meeting or conference to discuss or decide an issue.
"Delegates from forty countries attended the medical congress."
2
A national legislative body, especially (capitalized) the law-making body of the United States.
"The bill still needs approval from Congress before it becomes law."
3
An association made up of smaller groups or representatives.
"The trade union congress represents workers across dozens of industries."
How to Use Congress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal meeting, or (capitalised) a country's national law-making body, especially in the US.
UK vs US
In the UK the equivalent body is called Parliament; "Congress" specifically refers to the US legislature (or similar bodies elsewhere).
Common pairings
pass Congress
a member of Congress
an act of Congress
Word Forms
congressed past tense, congresses plural, Congresses plural, congresses singular
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Delegates from forty countries attended the medical _____.
Etymology
From Latin congressus, past participle of congredi, "to come together" — from con- + gradi ("to step, go").