congestion

C1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /kənˈdʒɛstʃən/ UK /kənˈdʒestʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #29973

Meanings

1

noun
a state in which a road, place, or system is overcrowded or blocked, preventing free movement

Extra trains were scheduled to relieve congestion around the city.
2

noun
an excessive accumulation of blood, mucus, or other fluid in part of the body

Steam helped ease the congestion in her nose and chest.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a state in which a road,... overcrowdinggridlockbottleneck

2 noun · an excessive accumulation... blockagestuffiness

Opposites

clearancefree flow

Word family

Derived forms decongestioncongestional

Related forms congest obstruction traffic

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

pulmonary congestion
an excessive accumulation of fluid or blood in the lungs

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From late Middle English congestion, through French from Latin congestio, 'a heap or accumulation,' based on congerere, 'to bring together or pile up.' The medical and traffic senses both preserve the idea of material accumulating until flow is obstructed.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# congestion

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /kənˈdʒɛstʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /kənˈdʒestʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 29973

## Meanings
1. a state in which a road, place, or system is overcrowded or blocked, preventing free movement
2. an excessive accumulation of blood, mucus, or other fluid in part of the body

## Examples
- Extra trains were scheduled to relieve congestion around the city.
- Steam helped ease the congestion in her nose and chest.

## Synonyms
- overcrowding
- gridlock
- blockage
- bottleneck

## Antonyms
- clearance
- free flow

## Derived Forms
- decongestion
- congestional

## Related Forms
- congest
- obstruction
- traffic

## Etymology
From late Middle English congestion, through French from Latin congestio, 'a heap or accumulation,' based on congerere, 'to bring together or pile up.' The medical and traffic senses both preserve the idea of material accumulating until flow is obstructed.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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