1
a
: a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion
b
: something that shackles or impedes : encumbrance sense 1
c
: a mass of material that blocks movement through a pipe or vessel
clearing a clog in the kitchen sink
2
: a shoe, sandal, or overshoe having a thick typically wooden sole
clogged; clogging; clogs
1
2
a
: to fill beyond capacity : overload
cars clogged the main street
—often used with uppetty cases clogging up the courts
b
: to cause blockage in
—often used with up
arteries clogged up by cholesterol
1
: to become filled with extraneous matter
—often used with up
2
: to unite in a mass : clot
3
: to dance a clog dance
Synonyms
Examples of clog in a Sentence
Noun
There's a clog in the kitchen sink.
a liquid chemical that gets rid of clogs
Verb
The sink was clogged by dirt and grease.
The drain clogs easily because the opening is so small.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2023
Regardless, García’s slump, Jung’s injury and Heim’s rust have created a clog in the heart of Texas’ lineups, one that’s put a great deal of the run-scoring onus onto batters further down the order.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 28 Aug. 2023
Some look more like a slipper or a clog, while others resemble a loafer with the back half of the upper cut off.
—Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2023
In some places, the storm surge through the city had created clogs, bulging masses of wreckage that blocked traffic.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
Your feet will love these sneakers, clogs, and loafers from brands like Brooks, Skechers, and Cole Haan.
—Brittany Chrusciel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023
This clog received top marks from us across the board.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2023
Purr-fect Washer Laundering items covered in pet hair can present a clog risk, but with Maytag’s new washer, that's not a concern.
—Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 15 Aug. 2023
Pimples occur when the aforementioned buildup and overproduction of oil clog skin pores and hair follicles.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
Fox News, 17 Sep. 2023
One caveat, whether the paint is sprayed or brushed on: Don’t clog the weep holes at the bottom of the frame on the exterior.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
Retired teacher fought to save neighbors’ homes from flooding — 2:28 p.m.
By John Hilliard, Globe Staff
John DeCicco remembers the Blizzard of ‘78, when the region was shellacked by nearly 30 inches of snow — clogging highways, shutting down businesses, and stranding thousands in their homes.
—Amanda Kaufman, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
An algal bloom clogging a waterway near Lough Neagh in Northern IrelandChris Baraniuk
Standing on the marina, Rob Skelly peers into the darkness of the river where bright speckles of algae drift in the water.
—Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2023
The top places for street sweeping tickets There are nearly 2,400 miles of streets across L.A. where the city’s fleet of sweepers clean up trash every other week, preventing debris from clogging storm drains and reaching waterways.
—Cari Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Flushing toilet paper can clog the toilet in these countries.
—Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023
What Causes Acne? Bacteria, excess oil, and dead skin cells clog your sebaceous glands, which causes acne.
—Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 25 Aug. 2023
On the inside, freshman defensive lineman Elijah Hughes is helping clog the lane against the run, where the Trojans are allowing 3.8 yards a carry, an improvement from last year’s five-yard clip.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The shoes come with the ogre’s classic ear buttons and button for his large nose placed on the clog’s holes in front of the shoe.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2023
Regardless, García’s slump, Jung’s injury and Heim’s rust have created a clog in the heart of Texas’ lineups, one that’s put a great deal of the run-scoring onus onto batters further down the order.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 28 Aug. 2023
Some look more like a slipper or a clog, while others resemble a loafer with the back half of the upper cut off.
—Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2023
In some places, the storm surge through the city had created clogs, bulging masses of wreckage that blocked traffic.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
Your feet will love these sneakers, clogs, and loafers from brands like Brooks, Skechers, and Cole Haan.
—Brittany Chrusciel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023
This clog received top marks from us across the board.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2023
Purr-fect Washer Laundering items covered in pet hair can present a clog risk, but with Maytag’s new washer, that's not a concern.
—Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 15 Aug. 2023
Pimples occur when the aforementioned buildup and overproduction of oil clog skin pores and hair follicles.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
Verb
Filter by date: Make sure old links aren’t clogging your search results.
—Fox News, 17 Sep. 2023
One caveat, whether the paint is sprayed or brushed on: Don’t clog the weep holes at the bottom of the frame on the exterior.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
Retired teacher fought to save neighbors’ homes from flooding — 2:28 p.m.
By John Hilliard, Globe Staff
John DeCicco remembers the Blizzard of ‘78, when the region was shellacked by nearly 30 inches of snow — clogging highways, shutting down businesses, and stranding thousands in their homes.
—Amanda Kaufman, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
An algal bloom clogging a waterway near Lough Neagh in Northern IrelandChris Baraniuk
Standing on the marina, Rob Skelly peers into the darkness of the river where bright speckles of algae drift in the water.
—Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2023
The top places for street sweeping tickets There are nearly 2,400 miles of streets across L.A. where the city’s fleet of sweepers clean up trash every other week, preventing debris from clogging storm drains and reaching waterways.
—Cari Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Flushing toilet paper can clog the toilet in these countries.
—Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023
What Causes Acne? Bacteria, excess oil, and dead skin cells clog your sebaceous glands, which causes acne.
—Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 25 Aug. 2023
On the inside, freshman defensive lineman Elijah Hughes is helping clog the lane against the run, where the Trojans are allowing 3.8 yards a carry, an improvement from last year’s five-yard clip.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clog.' 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
Noun
Middle English clogge short thick piece of wood
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of clog was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing clog
Dictionary Entries Near clog
Cite this Entry
“Clog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clog. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
clog
1 of 2 noun
ˈkläg 
ˈklȯg
1
: something that hinders or holds back
a clog in the drain
2
: a shoe or sandal having a thick usually wooden sole
clog
2 of 2 verb
clogged; clogging
1
: to get in the way of
2
: to block passage through
3
: to fill or become filled beyond capacity
heavy traffic clogged the roads
More from Merriam-Webster on clog
Nglish: Translation of clog for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of clog for Arabic Speakers
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