clog

1 of 2

noun

ˈkläg 

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 

ˈklȯ-

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• balk
• bar
• block
• chain
• cramp
• crimp
• deterrent
• drag
• embarrassment
• encumbrance
• fetter
• handicap
• hindrance
• holdback
• hurdle
• impediment
• inhibition
• interference
• let
• manacle
• obstacle
• obstruction
• shackles
• stop
• stumbling block
• trammel

Verb

• block
• choke
• clot
• congest
• dam
• gum (up)
• jam
• obstruct
• occlude
• plug (up)
• stop (up)
• stuff

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

Cleaning your shower drain regularly is a good way to prevent clogs and burst pipes that can be caused by obstruction. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024

Among the bonsai trees, clogs, boomerangs, and other familial artifacts is a small toy monkey with black, void-like eyes and an unsettling grin. —EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Verb

The pair of reports show how much work remains for companies to meet their ambitious pledges to cut the plastic waste that is clogging landfills, polluting waterways and oceans, and threatening human health. —Jeff Young, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

The device’s two dust cups keep large particles, like hair, separate to prevent them from clogging the filters, too. —Lauren Taylor, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing clog

• clog dance

Kids Definition

clog

1 of 2 noun

ˈkläg 

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