joint session

American  

noun

1. a joint meeting, as of both houses of a bicameral legislature.

   The president addressed a joint session of Congress on the crisis in Central America.

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Etymology

Origin of joint session

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

Number of times a British monarch has addressed Congress in joint session, after Britain’s King Charles did so on Tuesday with a speech marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

The only precedent for an address by a British monarch was 35 years ago, when Queen Elizabeth II addressed a joint session of Congress in 1991.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

“Prices are plummeting downward,” the president told the American public and a joint session of Congress during his marathon State of the Union address.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

Some 20 players from the men's team were feted in the Oval Office at the White House and again at Trump's speech before a joint session of Congress.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Anthony asked Elizabeth Cady Stanton to be the spokesperson for the effort and to address a joint session of the Judiciary Committee of the New York Legislature.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling