overcrowd

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verb over·crowd \ ˌō-vər-ˈkrau̇d \

Definition of overcrowd

transitive verb

:to cause to be too crowded

intransitive verb

:to crowd together too much

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Recent Examples of overcrowd from the Web

The carriers mostly eliminated that first round of unlimited plans as app-happy smartphones users became ubiquitous and threatened to overcrowd the wireless networks.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "How to Choose the Best Mobile Plan After Verizon’s Latest Changes," 22 Aug. 2017
With overcrowding a severe problem and euthanasia the starkest solution, shelter workers saw testing as an objective way to make heartbreaking decisions.

— author: jan hoffman, Alaska Dispatch News, "Is this dog dangerous? U.S. shelters struggle with live-or-die tests," 1 Aug. 2017
Overcrowding on the subway, derailments on commuter railroads, not to mention urgent repairs at Pennsylvania Station, are all contributing to an unpleasant summer for many travelers in and around New York City.

— hannah alani, New York Times, "With New Vacuums, M.T.A. Workers Make Grimy Subway Tracks Shine," 24 July 2017
Once hot, add polenta fries one at a time being sure not to overcrowd the pan.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Cuvee Wine Table 'a perfect fit' for chef de cuisine," 4 July 2017
The Stewart students were sent to the nearby Brennemann School, which ironically had been built in the 1960s to handle overcrowding at Stewart.

— ben joravsky, Chicago Reader, "A shuttered Chicago public school promoted as ‘best in the class’ upscale apartments is a big fail," 3 July 2017
Carefully add to hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.

— dawn perry, Country Living, "Beer-Battered Seafood," 19 June 2017
With animation and superheroes overcrowding the multiplex, the burnout factor looms large for an animated superhero.

— jon niccum, kansascity.com, "Don’t get your panties in a bunch: ‘Captain Underpants’ is irreverent fun," 31 May 2017
Only after an organized effort by the real estate industry to create all-black suburbs and overcrowd them and turn them into slums did property values decline.

— katie nodjimbadem, Smithsonian, "The Racial Segregation of American Cities Was Anything But Accidental," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overcrowd.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of overcrowd

1602

OVERCROWD Defined for Kids

overcrowd

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verb over·crowd \ ˌō-vər-ˈkrau̇d \

Definition of overcrowd for Students

overcrowded; overcrowding

:to cause to be too crowded

Passengers overcrowded the train.

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