congressional
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to a congress.
-
(usually initial capital letter) of or relating to the Congress of the U.S..
a Congressional committee.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- congressionalist noun
- congressionally adverb
- non-Congressional adjective
- precongressional adjective
- pro-Congressional adjective
- uncongressional adjective
Etymology
Origin of congressional
1685–95; < Latin congressiōn- (stem of congressiō ) a coming together, equivalent to congress ( us ) ( congress ) + -iōn- -ion + -al 1
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.
Congress intervened in 1845 to establish a single national election date—a rule later extended to congressional elections—so that federal elections would occur simultaneously across the country.
From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026
A congressional funding impasse caused thousands of TSA employees to go unpaid, prompting record call-outs and resignations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Like Thanksgiving, but with isotopes and congressional hearings.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expected to be part of the event’s “overall security apparatus,” according to comments by the agency’s acting director, Todd Lyons, at a congressional hearing in February.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 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.
