congressional
Americanadjective
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of or relating to a congress.
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(usually initial capital letter) of or relating to the Congress of the U.S..
a Congressional committee.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of congressional
1685–95; < Latin congressiōn- (stem of congressiō ) a coming together, equivalent to congress ( us ) ( see congress) + -iōn- -ion + -al 1
Explanation
Anything congressional is related to a congress, which is the law-making body of a country. Congress (with a capital “c”) is the law-making branch of the US government. Silly campaign ads start showing up before a congressional race. Congressional most often describes anything related to the US Congress. Congress is the legislative branch of the government, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. These people are voted in. In the US, you vote for a representative in your congressional district. Congressional districts are decided by population, and each state has at least one representative in congress. Congressional hearings are meetings where laws are discussed. Congressional cocktail parties are where members of congress whoop it up.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The settlement provision involving the IRS stood, Blanche noted at a congressional hearing.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026
Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, called for a congressional investigation.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
Republicans had hoped the plans would help the GOP gain key congressional seats.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
In congressional testimony, the head of CBP, Brandon Lords, said about $85 billion in potential and certified refunds have been accepted by the agency’s refund portal, with about $20.6 billion paid as of May 22.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
“We were losing the ability to make credible commitments, for we could no longer guarantee congressional approval.”
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
