clog

1 of 2

noun

ˈkläg How to pronounce clog (audio)
ˈklȯg
1
a
: a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion
b
: something that shackles or impedes : encumbrance sense 1
c
: a mass of material that blocks movement through a pipe or vessel
clearing a clog in the kitchen sink
2
: a shoe, sandal, or overshoe having a thick typically wooden sole

clog

2 of 2

verb

clogged; clogging; clogs

transitive verb

1
a
: to impede with a clog : hinder
b
: to halt or slow the progress, operation, or growth of : encumber
… restraints that have been clogging the market …T. W. Arnold
2
a
: to fill beyond capacity : overload
cars clogged the main street
often used with up
petty cases clogging up the courts
b
: to cause blockage in
often used with up
arteries clogged up by cholesterol

intransitive verb

1
: to become filled with extraneous matter
often used with up
2
: to unite in a mass : clot
3
: to dance a clog dance
clogger
ˈklä-gər How to pronounce clog (audio)
ˈklȯ-
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for clog

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting.

hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of clog in a Sentence

Noun There's a clog in the kitchen sink. a liquid chemical that gets rid of clogs Verb The sink was clogged by dirt and grease. The drain clogs easily because the opening is so small.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Over time, dirt and grit gets clogs the spaces between the teeth, preventing them from sliding together. Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024 Once the clog is gone, rinse the sink with cold water only. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2024
Verb
For example, the rollers can easily harbor bacteria and essential oils could clog the bubble jets. Daley Quinn Published, Health, 25 Oct. 2024 Expect them to bully opponents—fighting over screens, clogging the paint, and funneling players into Lopez and Antetokounmpo, the two anchors of their defense. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clog 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English clogge short thick piece of wood

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clog was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clog

Cite this Entry

“Clog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clog. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

clog

1 of 2 noun
ˈkläg How to pronounce clog (audio)
ˈklȯg
1
: something that hinders or holds back
a clog in the drain
2
: a shoe or sandal having a thick usually wooden sole

clog

2 of 2 verb
clogged; clogging
1
: to get in the way of
2
: to block passage through
3
: to fill or become filled beyond capacity
heavy traffic clogged the roads

More from Merriam-Webster on clog

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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