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decongestant

[dee-kuh n-jes-tuh nt]Pharmacology

adjective

of or relating to a substance that relieves mucus congestion of the upper respiratory tract.

noun

any such substance.

Nearby words

  1. decompression sickness,
  2. deconcentrate,
  3. decondition,
  4. deconflict,
  5. decongest,
  6. decongestive,
  7. deconsecrate,
  8. deconstruct,
  9. deconstructed,
  10. deconstruction

Origin of decongestant

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + congest + -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for decongestant

decongestant

adjective

relieving congestion, esp nasal congestion

noun

a decongestant drug
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for decongestant

decongestant

n.

1950, from de- + congestant (see congest).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for decongestant

decongestant

[dē′kən-jĕs′tənt]

n.

A medication or treatment that breaks up congestion, as that of the sinuses, by reducing swelling.

adj.

Capable of relieving congestion.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for decongestant

decongestant

[dē′kən-jĕs′tənt]

A medication that reduces congestion of the nose or sinuses, usually by causing vasoconstriction.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.