overcrowd

American

[oh-ver-kroud] / ˌoʊ vərˈkraʊd /

verb (used with or without object)

to crowd to an uncomfortable or undesirable excess.

overcrowd British

/ ˌəʊvəˈkraʊd /

verb

(tr) to fill (a room, vehicle, city, etc) with more people or things than is desirable

"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

Etymology

Origin of overcrowd

First recorded in 1760–70; over- + crowd ¹

Vocabulary lists containing overcrowd

“Refugees: Who, Where, Why” and "Children of War" by Arthur Brice

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, Roger Benn, co-chair of Hebden Royd Business Forum, says there's a fine balance to be sought so as not to overcrowd the now-famous valley.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2023

Cook them in batches, if need be, but don't overcrowd the pan, or the mushrooms will never brown properly.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2023

Then, fill any remaining space with whatever else you plan to serve, making sure not to overcrowd it so that it’s easier for people to cut a piece of brie or slice of chorizo.

From Washington Post • Dec. 21, 2021

“If you overcrowd a place, people can get crushed in between. It’s not necessarily going to work if you’re not taking other precautions.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2021

I have taken pains not to overcrowd it, and every preparation has been made for any contingencies which may arise.

From The Second Deluge by Serviss, Garrett Putman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023