How to pronounce congress
Say it like KONG-grus. Congress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KONG).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce congress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈkɑŋɡrəs/KONG-grus
UK British/ˈkɒŋɡrɛs/KONG-gres
- KONG
- grus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Congress pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KONGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- grusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of congress
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KONG-gres.
What does congress mean?
noun
- the legislature of the United States government
- a meeting of elected or appointed representatives
- a national legislative assembly
Questions about saying congress
How do you pronounce congress?
Say KONG-grus. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑŋɡrəs/. In British English it is /ˈkɒŋɡrɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in congress?
Congress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KONG). Broken into parts: KONG · grus.
Is congress pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒŋɡrɛs/ (KONG-gres).