congestion

American  

[kuhn-jes-chuhn] / kənˈdʒɛs tʃən /

noun

congestions plural

1. overcrowding; clogging.

   severe traffic congestion.

2. an excessive or abnormal accumulation of blood or other fluid in a body part or blood vessel.

   pulmonary congestion.

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congestion British  

/ kənˈdʒɛstʃən /

noun

1. the state of being overcrowded, esp with with traffic or people

2. the state of being overloaded or clogged with blood

3. the state of being blocked with mucus

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncongestion
  noun
• precongestion
  noun
• supercongestion
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• congestions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of congestion

From the Latin word congestiō, dating back to 1585–95. See congest, -ion

Explanation

When a driver complains about congestion, she's talking about the cars that are backed up on the highway. When your sneezing friend complains about congestion, he's talking about his stuffed-up nose. Use the noun congestion to talk about over-crowding; this comes up most often when people talk about traffic. If there's unexpected congestion on your route to work, you'll be late. You might also use the word to describe a crush of people: "The congestion in the subway was terrible — we were packed like sardines in there." The medical kind of congestion describes a build up of fluid, especially the kind you feel in your sinuses when you have a bad cold.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

congestion congestions

But congestion at the privately owned bridge has long worried politicians as well as automakers that depend on a just-in-time delivery model.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

The consequences of the congestion could be felt far beyond Texas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

It would offer travelers and employees an alternative to getting to and from the airport by vehicle and finally establish a direct airport connection to Metro trains that would ease congestion at the airport horseshoe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Bannister recently told MPs the port would "face repeated episodes of severe congestion" this summer unless the EU permits more flexibility in EES, which had not happened.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

But as the days turned into weeks, into months, into years, the day-in, day-out smells, sights, and sounds that accompany extreme congestion crowded the minds of the people, leaving room for little else.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

The Washington Department of Transportation advised drivers to expect intermittent heavy congestions in the Seattle area Thursday evening and Friday due to temporary closures of the freeway system due to his visit.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 21, 2022

Retailers have been battling port congestions and escalating transportation costs due to global supply chain disruptions in recent months as rising coronavirus cases dampened hopes of a swift economic recovery and a strong holiday season.

From Reuters ● Sep. 30, 2021

U.S. retailers have spent more on shipping and labor this year, as pandemic-driven port congestions and a shortage of drivers increase costs.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 10, 2021

The opening of the fourth checkpoint will ease those congestions.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 28, 2020

She is splitting up the salt congestions of his mane as she sits by him on the shingle.

From Somehow Good by De Morgan, William Frend

Related Words

• bottleneck
• overpopulation
• traffic jam