congest

verb

con·​gest kən-ˈjest How to pronounce congest (audio)
congested; congesting; congests

transitive verb

1
: to concentrate in a small or narrow space
2
: to cause an excessive accumulation especially of blood or mucus in (such as an organ or part)
3
: clog
traffic congested the highways
congestion noun
congestive adjective

Examples of congest in a Sentence

the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways
Recent Examples on the Web But as more and more travelers have gained access to these coveted spaces, lounges have increasingly started feeling cramped and congested. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2024 Some areas anticipated to be congested before, during, and after the eclipse include Highway 24, Interstate Highway 69, U.S. Highway 41, the Pennyrile Parkway and the U.S. Highway 68/Kentucky Highway 80. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Feb. 2024 He was clearly congested, but the surgical site looked well healed. Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 10 Jan. 2024 Previously, aid from Egypt to Gaza flowed through the Rafah crossing, which was heavily congested by Israeli checkpoints. NBC News, 16 Dec. 2023 But there are also recurring issues that can make roads more congested, said California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin. Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024 Parents said the intersection is often congested during school drop off. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 All outbound freeways are likely to be congested on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2023 Mayor Karen Bass urged commuters to use the other freeways around downtown and stay off local streets that are becoming increasingly congested. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'congest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin congestus, past participle of congerere to bring together, from com- + gerere to bear

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of congest was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near congest

Cite this Entry

“Congest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congest. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

congest

verb
con·​gest kən-ˈjest How to pronounce congest (audio)
1
: to cause an excessive accumulation especially of blood or mucus in (as an organ or body part)
2
: to block by filling too full : clog, overcrowd
congested streets
congestion
-ˈjes-chən How to pronounce congest (audio)
-ˈjesh-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on congest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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