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

• block
• choke
• clog
• clot
• dam
• gum (up)
• jam
• obstruct
• occlude
• plug (up)
• stop (up)
• stuff

Examples of congest in a Sentence

the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways

Recent Examples on the Web

Traffic was also congested in the 7000 block of East Rosedale, and cars were merging into a single lane to avoid a disabled vehicle, according to Fort Worth police. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025

Baku’s main roads are wide and immaculate (although often congested) and many include tree planted medians. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

SailGP saw 12 teams on one start line for the first time Saturday, and within the confines of the breakwater in the Port of Los Angeles, the racetrack would be congested, possibly the tightest yet seen. —Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

By leveraging bitcoin as the ultimate verification anchor, blockchain applications can inherit its security without congesting its base layer. —Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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