congest

American  

[kuhn-jest] / kənˈdʒɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to fill to excess; overcrowd or overburden; clog.

   The subway entrance was so congested that no one could move.

2. Pathology. to cause an unnatural accumulation of blood or other fluid in (a body part or blood vessel).

   The cold congested her sinuses.

3. Obsolete. to heap together.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become congested.

   His throat congested with phlegm.

congest British  

/ kənˈdʒɛst /

verb

1. to crowd or become crowded to excess; overfill

2. to overload or clog (an organ or part) with blood or (of an organ or part) to become overloaded or clogged with blood

3. (tr; usually passive) to block (the nose) with mucus

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Other Word Forms

• congestible adjective
• congestive adjective
• noncongestive adjective
• precongested adjective
• precongestive adjective
• supercongested adjective
• uncongested adjective
• uncongestive adjective

Etymology

Origin of congest

1530–40; < Latin congestus (past participle of congerere; congeries ), equivalent to con- con- + ges- (variant stem of gerere ) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

A handful of California companies are using eVTOL technology to develop what they call air taxis to shuttle people around congested cities.

From Los Angeles Times

In a congested table, just five points separate United from Sunderland, in 11th spot.

From Barron's

With City still in the running for silverware in four competitions, they were desperate to avoid adding two more games to a congested calendar in February.

From Barron's

They are one of eight teams on 13 points in a congested table with three points separating third from 15th.

From BBC

New York's Zohran Mamdani was meanwhile set to face his first major test as mayor -- the city famously makes early judgments of newly elected leaders based on ability to keep congested streets clear.

From Barron's

Related Words

• choke
• overburden
• overcrowd