decongestant

American  

[dee-kuhn-jes-tuhnt] / ˌdi kənˈdʒɛs tənt /

adjective

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

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noun

1. any such substance.

decongestant British  

/ ˌdiːkənˈdʒɛstənt /

adjective

1. relieving congestion, esp nasal congestion

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noun

1. a decongestant drug

decongestant Scientific  

/ dē′kən-jĕs′tənt /

1. A medication that reduces congestion of the nose or sinuses, usually by causing vasoconstriction.

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Etymology

Origin of decongestant

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + congest + -ant

Example Sentences

Q: A great natural decongestant is dried culinary thyme used to make tea.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2024

CVS is taking off its shelves cold medicines that contain a decongestant that a Food and Drug Administration panel says doesn’t work.

From Washington Times • Oct. 20, 2023

The popular decongestant phenylephrine is not effective, an FDA panel found.

From Scientific American • Oct. 4, 2023

Dr. Leslie Hendeles began prodding the Food and Drug Administration to reject a decongestant in cold medicines when he had a mop of curly red hair and Bill Clinton had just become president.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2023

Taking a break on the porch, she began reading one of her textbooks but soon she fell asleep because of the decongestant she had taken earlier for a cold.

From Tokyo to Tijuana: Gabriele Departing America by Sills, Steven (Steven David Justin)