congress

CEFRB2

/ˈkɑŋɡɹəs/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A formal meeting or gathering.

  2. 02

    noun

    The lawmaking body of the United States.

Examples

  • Farmers will lobby Congress for higher subsidies.

  • It's a sop to Congress.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /-ɹɛs/
  • /kənˈɡɹɛs/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A legislative body of a state, originally the bicameral legislature of the United States of America.

  2. An association, especially one consisting of other associations or representatives of interest groups.

  3. A formal gathering or assembly of persons; a conference held to discuss or decide on a specific question.

More examples

In context

  • After some little repast, he went to see Democritus […]. The multitude stood gazing round about to see the congress.

  • Congress went into recess.

  • the National Congress of American Indians

Synonyms

Quick test

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The national blank debated the new tax reform bill yesterday.

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Nearby

Origin

noun

From Latin congress(um), the past participle of congredior (“to go, come together”), itself from con- + gradior (“to go, step”). The verb is from the noun. Compare typologically coven, convent, convention, omitting several steps, from con- + veniō, Russian сход (sxod), схо́дка (sxódka), akin to сходи́ться (sxodítʹsja), ходи́ть (xodítʹ). Also compare Czech sjezd, Russian съезд (sʺjezd), akin to съезжа́ться (sʺjezžátʹsja), е́здить (jézditʹ). Also compare conference.