congress
/ˈkɑŋɡɹəs/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.90 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A formal gathering or assembly of persons; a conference held to discuss or decide on a specific question.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A legislative body of a state, originally the bicameral legislature of the United States of America.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
An association, especially one consisting of other associations or representatives of interest groups.
Countable; Uncountable
verb
To meet in a congress.
Example Sentences
- "Republicans have their own high stakes in November. Losing control of Congress, they say, could mean a highly politicized impeachment of their president."
- "Near-synonyms: federation, confederation"
- "the National Congress of American Indians"
- "Welsh ponies, I learn from a man who has had much experience with these animals, habitually produce erections and emissions in their stalls; they do not bring their hind quarters up during this process, and they close their eyes, which does not take place when they have congress with mares."
- "Not three weeks before this he was run out of Fort Smith Arkansas for having congress with a goat. Yes lady, that is what I said. Goat."
- "After some little repast, he went to see Democritus […]. The multitude stood gazing round about to see the congress."
Etymology
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.
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: congressum
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkɑŋɡɹəs/
- British English: /ˈkɒŋˌɡɹɛs/