congress: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, official, political.
Quick answer
What does “congress” mean?
A formal meeting or assembly of representatives, typically for discussion and decision-making, especially as the national legislative body of a country.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal meeting or assembly of representatives, typically for discussion and decision-making, especially as the national legislative body of a country.
1. The action of coming together; an encounter. 2. A society or association, especially one of several, in a particular field (e.g., medical congress). 3. (Archaic) Sexual intercourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Congress' is primarily used to refer to foreign legislatures (especially the US Congress) or large formal conferences. The UK's own national legislature is 'Parliament'. In the US, 'Congress' (capitalised) is the standard term for the national legislative body (House of Representatives and Senate).
Connotations
In the UK, the term can sound foreign or specifically American. In the US, it carries strong political and institutional connotations.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to its role as the core political institution.
Grammar
How to Use “congress” in a Sentence
Congress + verb (e.g., Congress voted, Congress approved)Adjective + congress (e.g., annual congress, international congress)Congress + on/of + topic (e.g., a congress on neurology)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “congress” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Archaic) The delegates were to congress in the main hall.
American English
- (Archaic/Extremely Rare) They would congress annually to discuss trade.
adverb
British English
- No established adverbial form.
American English
- No established adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- (Rare) The congress agenda was published.
American English
- (Rare) He studied the congress powers under the Constitution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to large industry trade shows or conferences (e.g., 'the annual sales congress').
Academic
Refers to large scholarly conferences (e.g., 'the International Congress of Mathematicians').
Everyday
Mostly used in news about US politics. Otherwise rare in casual conversation.
Technical
In politics/political science, refers specifically to a particular type of legislative body, often bicameral.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “congress”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “congress”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “congress”
- Using 'congress' uncapitalised when referring to the US institution (should be capitalised 'Congress').
- Using 'in Congress' for the UK Parliament.
- Using 'congress' as a verb in modern English (archaic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is capitalised when referring to a specific national legislative body (e.g., the US Congress, the Indian National Congress as a party). It is not capitalised when used generically (e.g., 'an annual medical congress').
Yes, but it is a formal, large, and often international meeting, typically involving delegates. A small office meeting would not be called a congress.
Both are types of legislatures. 'Parliament' is associated with parliamentary systems (UK, Canada, Australia), often with a ceremonial head of state and a prime minister from the legislature. 'Congress' is associated with presidential systems (USA, Philippines), with a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
Extremely rarely and archaically. In modern English, it is almost exclusively a noun. Use 'meet', 'assemble', or 'convene' instead.
A formal meeting or assembly of representatives, typically for discussion and decision-making, especially as the national legislative body of a country.
Congress is usually formal, official, political. in register.
Congress: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒŋɡres/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a lame-duck Congress (US)”
- “to have a foot in Congress (figurative, US)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONGREGation of REPRESentatives = CONGRESS.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A BODY (e.g., 'the arm of Congress', 'a bill passed through Congress'). CONGRESS IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'divisions within Congress').
Practice
Quiz
In which country is 'Congress' the standard name for the national legislature?