congeal

verb

con·​geal kən-ˈjēl How to pronounce congeal (audio)
congealed; congealing; congeals

transitive verb

1
: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold
The cold congealed the water into ice.
2
: to make viscid or curdled : coagulate
3
: to make rigid, fixed, or immobile

intransitive verb

: to become congealed : solidify
Oil congeals at cold temperatures.
congealment noun

Examples of congeal in a Sentence

The gravy began to congeal in the pan. the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures
Recent Examples on the Web The story will begin to congeal when everyone agrees that this is what happened—a first draft, which then, in the hands of a journalist, becomes a second one. Elliot Ackerman, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2024 As with many siblings, misunderstandings have congealed into bad blood. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024 Nothing about this season has been consistent except for the laundry list of obstacles Curry and his teammates have to address while trying to congeal as a team. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024 But the future has passed, the technocrats have congealed into something creepier and scarier, and everyone on the squad is getting old. Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2023 What started as a horrific attack on Israeli civilians, exploiting shock and surprise, is now likely to congeal into a grinding, slow, contentious, and costly battle in the air, on land, on the sea, and in cyberspace. David Kilcullen, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2023 Chia seeds act similarly, congealing when mixed with water and use the same water ratio, too. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2023 His punctilious, every-word-counts lyricism makes your head hurt in a good way, like GZA’s Liquid Swords, Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele, and RZA’s Gravediggaz work all congealed in a thrilling sonic stew. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2023 This produced lactic acid, which in turn caused parts of the milk to congeal into curd. Douglas Girardot, Washington Post, 2 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'congeal.' 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

Middle English congelen, from Middle French congeler, from Latin congelare, from com- + gelare to freeze — more at cold

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of congeal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near congeal

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

congeal

verb
con·​geal kən-ˈjē(ə)l How to pronounce congeal (audio)
1
: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold
2
: to make or become stiff, thick, or lumpy : coagulate

Medical Definition

congeal

transitive verb
con·​geal kən-ˈjē(ə)l How to pronounce congeal (audio)
1
: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold
2
: to make viscid or curdled : coagulate

More from Merriam-Webster on congeal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!