overcrowd

verb

over·​crowd ˌō-vər-ˈkrau̇d 

overcrowded; overcrowding; overcrowds

transitive verb

: to cause to be too crowded

intransitive verb

: to crowd together too much

Examples of overcrowd in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use tongs to carefully place the meatballs into the skillet, working in batches as necessary as to not overcrowd the pan. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2025

The invasive grasses overcrowd and prevent sunlight from hitting any slow-growing native plants. —Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025

In recent years, the camp sizes have shrunk, thanks largely to a combination of prison reform efforts and overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 11 Jan. 2025

Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook on medium-low heat for about five minutes, two and a half minutes per side, or until golden. —Essence, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for overcrowd

• disallowed
• disavowed
• allowed
• aloud
• avowed
• endowed
• mcleod
• bowed
• browed
• cloud
• coude
• cowed

Kids Definition

overcrowd

verb

over·​crowd -ˈkrau̇d 

1

: to cause to be too crowded

2

: to crowd together too much