congressional record: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Proficient)Formal, Official, Journalistic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “congressional record” mean?
The official, verbatim transcript of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official, verbatim transcript of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.
A permanent, daily public record that documents floor debates, votes, statements, and inserted materials from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It serves as the historical archive of legislative activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is specific to the United States political system. The UK's rough equivalent is 'Hansard', the official report of debates in Parliament.
Connotations
In an American context, it connotes transparency, legislative history, and political accountability. In a UK/Commonwealth context, using this term would explicitly reference American politics.
Frequency
Exclusively used in contexts relating to U.S. politics, law, and history. Virtually never used in general British English discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “congressional record” in a Sentence
[verb] the Congressional Record (e.g., cite, consult, publish in)[preposition] the Congressional Record (e.g., in, from, according to)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “congressional record” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The MP urged the clerk to record the statement formally, akin to the American Congressional Record.
American English
- The senator asked unanimous consent to have the report printed in the Congressional Record.
adverb
British English
- The proceedings were documented Congressional Record-style, with meticulous detail.
American English
- The speech was entered Congressional Record-verbatim, without editorial revision.
adjective
British English
- She conducted a Congressional Record-style analysis of the parliamentary debates.
American English
- The researcher used a Congressional Record database to track the amendment's history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in government contracting or lobbying where legislative intent is cited.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and legal research as a primary source.
Everyday
Very low frequency; typically encountered in high-level news reports about U.S. politics.
Technical
Standard in legal briefs, legislative analysis, and political journalism to cite specific congressional action or statements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “congressional record”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “congressional record”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “congressional record”
- Using lowercase ('congressional record') when referring to the official title.
- Confusing it with the 'Federal Register' (which publishes agency rules).
- Using it as a generic term for any government record.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is published daily when either the House or Senate is in session, documenting that day's activities.
Members are allowed to edit and extend their remarks for clarity in the permanent Record, but the live debate is transcribed verbatim.
Yes, it is a public document. It is available online through the Government Publishing Office and in print at federal depository libraries.
The Daily Digest is a summary section at the back of each issue that provides a concise, chronological overview of the day's floor and committee activities.
The official, verbatim transcript of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.
Congressional record is usually formal, official, journalistic, academic in register.
Congressional record: in British English it is pronounced /kəŋˈɡreʃ.ən.əl ˈrek.ɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈɡreʃ.ən.əl ˈrek.ɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have one's remarks 'entered into the Record'”
- “the Record will show...”
- “a matter of public Record”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RECORDER in a CONGRESS room, writing down every word. CONGRESS + RECORDER = CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE RECORD AS AN IMMUTABLE BODY (The Record 'shows', 'contains', 'stands as' a permanent body of evidence).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the Congressional Record?