congest

verb

con·​gest kən-ˈjest 

congested; congesting; congests

transitive verb

1

: to concentrate in a small or narrow space

2

: to cause an excessive accumulation especially of blood or mucus in (such as an organ or part)

3

: clog

traffic congested the highways

intransitive verb

: to become congested

congestion

kən-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

noun

congestive

kən-ˈje-stiv 

adjective

Synonyms

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

Examples of congest in a Sentence

the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways

Recent Examples on the Web

Even when vehicle traffic is congested, drivers typically can move between the DTC and downtown in under 45 minutes. —Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 12 June 2024

Traffic in the area was expected to be congested for about an hour after deputies had shut down Watt Avenue at U Street for safety during their response. —Laura Dickinson, Sacramento Bee, 3 June 2024

May mean that you are congested Yellow: Signals an infection How Do Boogers Form Boogers form when air passes through your nostrils, drying up nasal mucus. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 7 Apr. 2024

Major roads and highways throughout central Texas are expected to be congested in the hours surrounding the eclipse, and lines at rental car desks could back up. —Harriet Baskas, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin congestus, past participle of congerere to bring together, from com- + gerere to bear

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

congest

verb

con·​gest kən-ˈjest 

1

: to cause an excessive accumulation especially of blood or mucus in (as an organ or body part)

2

: to block by filling too full : clog, overcrowd

congested streets

congestion

-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

noun