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Congest: meaning, definitions and examples

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congest

 

[ kənˈdʒɛst ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

health/motion

To congest means to cause an excessive accumulation of fluid or tissue in a particular area of the body, leading to obstruction or blockage. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the overcrowding or blockage of pathways, such as traffic congestion. The term is often used in medical contexts, particularly in reference to nasal congestion or other bodily systems where fluid buildup occurs. It can also apply to urban planning and transportation contexts.

Synonyms

block, clog, jam, obstruct, overcrowd

Examples of usage

  • She took medication to relieve her nasal congestion.
  • The highway was congested due to an accident.
  • He experienced chest congestion from the cold.
  • The city has implemented measures to reduce traffic congestion.
  • The congested streets made it difficult to drive.

Translations

Translations of the word "congest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 congestionar

🇮🇳 भीड़-भाड़ होना

🇩🇪 stauen

🇮🇩 menyempitkan

🇺🇦 переповнювати

🇵🇱 zatykać

🇯🇵 混雑させる

🇫🇷 congestionner

🇪🇸 congestionar

🇹🇷 tıkanmak

🇰🇷 혼잡하게 하다

🇸🇦 ازدحام

🇨🇿 ucpávat

🇸🇰 upchávať

🇨🇳 拥堵

🇸🇮 zamašiti

🇮🇸 þrengja

🇰🇿 тосқауыл қою

🇬🇪 გატვირთვა

🇦🇿 tıxanmaq

🇲🇽 congestionar

Word origin

The word 'congest' originates from the Latin root 'congestus', which means 'to heap up' or 'to gather together'. This Latin term is a combination of the prefix 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'gerere' meaning 'to carry'. The word was adopted into Middle English in the 15th century, where it maintained a similar meaning of accumulation or overcrowding. In medical contexts, 'congest' has been used to describe the buildup of fluids in bodily areas since the early 19th century, while its usage in traffic-related scenarios has become more common in the last century as urbanization increased and transportation networks evolved. As a result, 'congest' has adapted to encompass both physical and metaphorical meanings of blockage and accumulation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,095, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.