Word
congressional
Phoneticscon·gres·sion·al, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈɡɹɛʃənəɫ/
UK/kənɡɹˈɛʃənəl/
Definitions
01relating to the US Congress
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law American English
adj. relating to the United States Congress, the group of people who make laws in the US.
adj. pertaining specifically to the United States Congress, including its members, committees, or legislative actions.
“The president needs congressional approval before he can spend the extra money.”
“The proposed healthcare reform faced significant congressional opposition, leading to months of heated debate in both the House and the Senate.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Teaching tip
While it can refer to any congress, in international media it almost always refers to the US system.
Synonyms
02relating to any congress
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
adj. relating to any large meeting or a group of people who make laws.
adj. relating to a formal meeting or a legislative body known as a congress in various political systems.
“The party held a congressional meeting to decide on their new leader.”
“The international scientific society published a congressional report summarizing the findings from their annual gathering in Geneva.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “congressional” in context.
Verb
01. face congressional scrutiny
“Tech giants continue to face congressional scrutiny over their privacy policies.”
verb + adj + noun
02. seek congressional support
“The administration is working hard to seek congressional support for the new infrastructure bill.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. bipartisan congressional committee
“A bipartisan congressional committee was formed to investigate the causes of the financial crisis.”
adj + noun
Noun
04. congressional approval
“The president cannot deploy troops for an extended period without congressional approval.”
noun + noun
05. congressional district
“The candidate spent the entire month campaigning across her congressional district.”
noun + noun
06. congressional hearing
“The CEO was summoned to testify at a congressional hearing regarding the data breach.”
noun + noun
07. congressional oversight
“The agency is subject to strict congressional oversight to ensure transparency.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“They note how progressives pushing for economic justice and universal healthcare have won a string of impressive victories in mayoral elections and congressional primaries over the past year.” “Chuang wrote that the Trump administration’s selection of the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington violated congressional measures requiring the General Services Administration to select one of three locations outside Washington.” Word family
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/congressional