noun

1. a coming together; meeting
2. sexual intercourse
3. social interaction
4. an association or society
5. an assembly or conference; specif., a formal assembly of representatives, as from various nations or churches, to discuss problems
6. any of various legislatures, esp. the national legislature of a republic
7. ☆
   1. the legislature of the U.S., consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives
   2. a session of this legislature
   3. the body of Senators and Representatives during any of the two-year terms of Representatives

Etymology: ME congresse < L congressus, a meeting, hostile encounter, pp. of congredi, to come together < com-, together + gradi, to walk < gradus, a step: see grade