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

This has included sending congestion alerts to visitors’ mobile phones and encouraging visitors to venture outside the valley, as it represents only a fraction of its almost 1,200 square miles of parkland.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Gates opened for supporters at 11:00 local time - four hours before kick-off - with more gates being opened sporadically to ease congestion.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

The new bridge is sorely needed to relieve congestion at the nearby Ambassador Bridge, which handles some $390 million in trade and 8,000 trucks a day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

But thanks to rush-hour congestion, I'm late for my appointment.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

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

China's export and import both rose last month despite delta demand concerns and severe port congestions.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 7, 2021

All of these causes combined, operating almost constantly,—with others that might be mentioned,—produce permanent local congestions, with ovarian and uterine derangements.

From Plain Facts for Old and Young by Kellogg, John Harvey

Related Words

• bottleneck
• overpopulation
• traffic jam