noun
Uncommon
congressman
Congressman (noun) means a male member of the United States Congress, especially the House of Representatives. Example: “The congressman voted against the bill.”
noun
1
A male member of the United States Congress, especially the House of Representatives.
"The committee’s investigation into Gaetz began in 2021 but was put on hold while a separate, yearslong federal sex-trafficking investigation into the former congressman was underway."
— Sarah Ferris and Jeremy Herb (2024)
"There was a stampede as the congressmen jumped the banister in their hastes to be the first to sign away their souls."
— Russell M. Peterson, The Armies of Forever (2017)
"The congressman voted against the bill."
"The congressman visited his home town to meet voters at a community hall."
"A congressman from Ohio spoke at the school's graduation ceremony."
How to use congressman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA man serving as an elected member of the US Congress.
When to use it
"Representative" or "member of Congress" are increasingly preferred as gender-neutral alternatives.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- congressmen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ voted against the bill.
Etymology
Formed from congress and -man.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for congressman
See all rhymes for congressman →Frequently asked questions
What does “congressman” mean?
The word “congressman” means a male member of the United States Congress, especially the House of Representatives. In plain terms, a man serving as an elected member of the US Congress.
How do you use “congressman” in a sentence?
Here is “congressman” used in a sentence: “The congressman voted against the bill.”
What part of speech is “congressman”?
“Congressman” is a noun.
Is “congressman” a common word?
“Congressman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between congressman and congressperson?
Congressman specifically refers to a male member of the United States Congress, especially the House of Representatives, while congressperson is a gender-neutral term used for any member regardless of sex. Congressperson has become more common in formal writing that avoids gendered titles.
Is congressman the same as senator?
Not necessarily, since congressman most commonly refers to a member of the House of Representatives, while senator specifically refers to a member of the Senate. Both senators and representatives are technically members of Congress, but the term congressman is typically reserved for the House.
Does congressman only refer to members of the US Congress?
Yes, congressman is used specifically for a male member of the United States Congress, and it is not typically used to describe legislators in other countries' parliaments or assemblies. Other countries generally use their own terms, such as member of parliament, for equivalent officials.
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