Congressional means relating to Congress, the part of the United States government that makes laws. Congress meets in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., and consists of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

When you hear about congressional hearings, that means Congress is holding meetings to investigate issues or question witnesses. A congressional committee is a group of senators or representatives working together on specific topics like education, defense, or agriculture. Congressional districts are the geographic areas that each member of the House represents, sort of like how your school district determines which school you attend.

The word appears frequently in news about government: congressional elections happen every two years, congressional approval refers to Congress agreeing to something, and congressional debates are the arguments that happen before laws get passed. Understanding this word helps you make sense of how American democracy works, since Congress plays a crucial role in creating the laws that affect everyone’s lives.