overcrowd

verb

over·​crowd ˌō-vər-ˈkrau̇d How to pronounce overcrowd (audio)
overcrowded; overcrowding; overcrowds

transitive verb

: to cause to be too crowded

intransitive verb

: to crowd together too much

Examples of overcrowd in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When searing the steak, don’t overcrowd the pan. Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Maintain the Flow Working with a limited footprint, Alice made sure to pack in plenty of seating downstairs without overcrowding it. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025 Be careful not to overcrowd your table with stuff, though (also a tip from Ina Garten). Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025 Many residents and Village business owners have worried that both developments will overcrowd the area and contrast with the architecture of the historic neighborhood. Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcrowd

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcrowd was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overcrowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcrowd. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

overcrowd

verb
over·​crowd -ˈkrau̇d How to pronounce overcrowd (audio)
1
: to cause to be too crowded
2
: to crowd together too much
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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