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

Holiday traffic congested the highways.

intransitive verb

: to become congested

congestion

kən-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

noun

congestive

kən-ˈje-stiv 

adjective

Synonyms of congest

• obstruct
• block

Examples of congest in a Sentence

the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways

Recent Examples on the Web

Today's transmission system is congested, like a highway with too much traffic, Wheeler said. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 11 Dec. 2025

The traffic jam spread onto surface streets and other freeways, already congested during the afternoon rush hour, adding several hours onto many people’s commutes. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025

Also inflammation of the pancreas, and your lungs are becoming congested. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

The signature ingredient, however, is the brand’s plum complex—the sister founders of Le Prunier use materials from their family’s century-old plum farm—to support collagen production, skin barrier health, and hydration without congesting pores. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 30 Oct. 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