clog

[ klog, klawg ]

verb (used with object)

, clogged, clog·ging.

1. to hinder or obstruct with thick or sticky matter; choke up:

   to clog a drain.

2. to crowd excessively, especially so that movement is impeded; overfill:

   Cars clogged the highway.

3. to encumber; hamper; hinder.

   Synonyms: fetter, trammel, impede

verb (used without object)

, clogged, clog·ging.

1. to become clogged, encumbered, or choked up.
2. to stick; stick together.
3. to do a clog dance.

noun

1. anything that impedes motion or action; an encumbrance; a hindrance.
2. a shoe or sandal with a thick sole of wood, cork, rubber, or the like.
3. a similar but lighter shoe worn in the clog dance.
4. a heavy block, as of wood, fastened to a person or beast to impede movement.
5. clog dance.
6. British Dialect. a thick piece of wood.

clog

¹

/ klɒɡ /

verb

1. to use a photo-enabled mobile phone to take a photograph of (someone) and send it to a website without his or her knowledge or consent

clog

²

/ klɒɡ /

verb

1. to obstruct or become obstructed with thick or sticky matter
2. tr to encumber; hinder; impede
3. tr to fasten a clog or impediment to (an animal, such as a horse)
4. intr to adhere or stick in a mass
5. slang.
   (in soccer) to foul (an opponent)

noun

1. 1. any of various wooden or wooden-soled shoes
   2. ( as modifier )

      clog dance

2. a heavy block, esp of wood, fastened to the leg of a person or animal to impede motion
3. something that impedes motion or action; hindrance
4. pop one's clogs slang.
   to die

Derived Forms

• ˈclogging, noun
• ˈclogginess, noun
• ˈcloggy, adjective

Other Words From

• cloggi·ly adverb
• cloggi·ness noun
• cloggy adjective
• anti·clogging adjective
• over·clog verb (used with object) overclogged overclogging

Word History and Origins

Origin of clog¹

1350–1400; Middle English, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of clog¹

C21: c(amera) + log

Origin of clog²

C14 (in the sense: block of wood): of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The mussels can compromise water delivery systems by encrusting screens and filters, attaching to the walls of large pipelines, and clogging smaller pipes.

From Los Angeles Times

Shops are open, sidewalk cafes are well patronized and cars clog the streets.

From Los Angeles Times

These mussels can clog critical water intakes and fish screens and also foul major pipes relied on for water supply.

From Los Angeles Times

Gascón has not spent any money on television ads, focusing instead on mailers, which can easily get lost in the flood of campaign leaflets that clog Angelenos’ mailboxes every election season.

From Los Angeles Times

Magistrates in England and Wales will be able to jail offenders for up to 12 months from November to stop cases clogging up crown courts.

From BBC

Related Words

• choke
• congest
• fill
• hamper
• impede
• obstruct
• plug
• seal