congested; congesting; congests
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
: to become congested
Examples of congest in a Sentence
the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways
Recent Examples on the Web
In the former, a careful, risk-averse approach saw Frank set up in a 3-5-2 system to thwart the creative threat from Luis Enrique’s side and congest central areas, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr an excellent, combative midfield trio.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The busiest travel times are expected between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., while the best times to travel are between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Interstates 24, 40, 65, and 440, along with major corridors like West End and Charlotte avenues, are expected to be heavily congested.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Aug. 2025
Graham acknowledged that the additional homes will continue to congest the roadways in Mountain Island.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Several skeptics felt that another summer tourney that extended the MLS schedule that already has been congested with the likes of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (which has been alive and kicking since 1913) and the Concacaf Champions Cup, was not needed.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for congest
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The busiest travel times are expected between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., while the best times to travel are between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Interstates 24, 40, 65, and 440, along with major corridors like West End and Charlotte avenues, are expected to be heavily congested.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Aug. 2025
Graham acknowledged that the additional homes will continue to congest the roadways in Mountain Island.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Several skeptics felt that another summer tourney that extended the MLS schedule that already has been congested with the likes of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (which has been alive and kicking since 1913) and the Concacaf Champions Cup, was not needed.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for congest
Cite this Entry
“Congest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congest. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
congest
verb
con·gest
kən-ˈjest 
1
: to cause an excessive accumulation especially of blood or mucus in (as an organ or body part)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share