congress

Definitions

1. noun

   A large formal meeting of people to talk about a subject.

   Examples

   • Delegates gathered for the annual congress.
   • The science congress drew researchers from around the world.
2. noun

   The group of people who make laws in the United States.

   Examples

   • Congress passed the bill after months of debate.
   • She was elected to Congress last November.
   ≈assembly≈legislature≈parliament
3. noun

   A group made up of other groups.

   Examples

   • The trade union congress met in the capital.
   • The National Congress of American Indians held a meeting.
   ≈federation≈confederation
4. noun

   In old-fashioned or medical use, sex.

   Examples

   • The medical book used congress as a plain word.
   • Older books sometimes used congress as a polite word.
   ≈sexual congress
5. noun

   A meeting of people.

   Examples

   • Their meeting at the conference led to a lasting friendship.
   • The chance congress of old friends brightened the evening.
6. noun

   A group of baboons.

   Examples

   • We saw a congress of baboons on the rocks.
   • A congress of baboons walked up the hill at night.
7. verb

   To gather together.

   Examples

   • Delegates congressed at the capital for the summit.
   • Scholars congressed to discuss the new findings.
   ≈congregate
8. verb

   To hold a congress.

   Examples

   • Representatives congressed every year to review policy.
   • The nations congressed to agree on the treaty.