congestion
Americannoun
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overcrowding; clogging.
severe traffic congestion.
-
an excessive or abnormal accumulation of blood or other fluid in a body part or blood vessel.
pulmonary congestion.
noun
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the state of being overcrowded, esp with with traffic or people
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the state of being overloaded or clogged with blood
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the state of being blocked with mucus
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing congestion
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Congestion pricing has improved traffic in the tolling zone, reducing the number of vehicles entering the area daily by 73,000 on average, an 11% drop, according to the MTA.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
TfL had previously announced plans to end the Congestion Charge exemption for electric vehicles altogether.
From BBC • May 27, 2025
Congestion pricing began in New York City on Sunday in a bid to ease traffic and pollution and raise money for public transit upgrades, even as legal challenges to the tolling program remain.
From Salon • Jan. 6, 2025
Congestion pricing will start at 12:01 a.m. on June 30, Lieber said, so the first drivers will be charged the late-night fee of $3.75.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2024
Congestion, irritation, and inflammation may follow, and we have an attack of pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, or some phlegmasia.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
