congest

verb

con·​gest kən-ˈjest 

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

intransitive verb

: to become congested

congestion

kən-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

noun

congestive

kən-ˈje-stiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• obstruct
• block

Examples of congest in a Sentence

the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways

Recent Examples on the Web

Internet throttling is often actually intentional — most internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile services use internet throttling to free up bandwidth when networks are congested. —Kara McGinley, USA Today, 11 June 2025

Erin and Sara Foster are making a smooth debut in beauty messaging—putting aside traditional tropes in ads that are congested with unattainable narratives. —Charlie Carballo, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2025

Numerous neighbors told the town council last week that the project wouldn’t fit in with nearby historic homes, and would generate traffic on streets that are already congested. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025

And the team must be prepared if seaports are congested. —Phillip Horton, New York Times, 16 May 2025

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

Rhymes for congest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids 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)

2

: to block by filling too full : clog, overcrowd

congested streets

congestion

-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

noun