congest

[ kuhn-jest ]

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to become congested:

   His throat congested with phlegm.

congest

/ 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

Derived Forms

• conˈgestive, adjective
• conˈgestible, adjective

Other Words From

• con·gesti·ble adjective
• con·gestive adjective
• noncon·gestive adjective
• precon·gested adjective
• precon·gestive adjective
• super·con·gested adjective
• uncon·gested adjective
• uncon·gestive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of congest¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of congest¹

C16: from Latin congestus pressed together, from congerere to assemble; see congeries

Example Sentences

Widening is underway between Renton and Bellevue, to result in two toll lanes and two free lanes each direction in 2025, where one free carpool lane and two general-traffic lanes congest now.

From Seattle Times

But it all serves to congest an already sluggish, choppy and exasperating film, one which asks you to suspend your disbelief— big time — with little emotional reward in return.

From Los Angeles Times

But cities and counties can’t figure out where to build as established neighborhoods argue against new homes that they say would congest their roads and spoil their quiet way of life.

From Seattle Times

Space Command, told reporters on a teleconference from Hawaii that such ASAT, or anti-satellite, tests congest space with debris.

From Reuters

The disruption threatened to further congest a global supply chain already hampered by delays.

From New York Times

Related Words

• choke
• overburden
• overcrowd