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
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.
“It invests the states with responsibility for the mechanics of congressional elections,” unless Congress adopts a different rule.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
These presidents faced congressional coalitions whose ideological loyalties didn’t always follow party lines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
The foreign emoluments clause prohibits all federal officials from accepting gifts of valuables, office, or title from any foreign country without express congressional consent.
From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2026
“Despite a congressional inquiry on my behalf, the Department of Education has not told me where my application stands in the queue and nor have they provided me with an estimated timeline,” Petley told reporters.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
A congressional delegation had traveled to Selma to investigate the mass arrests and determine if new legislation was needed to ensure voting rights.
From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman
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