noun
Uncommon
congestion
kuhn-JEHS-chuhn
Congestion (noun) means a build-up of traffic, or the blockage this causes. Example: “The new bypass was built to ease traffic congestion in the town centre.”
noun
1
A build-up of traffic, or the blockage this causes.
"The new bypass was built to ease traffic congestion in the town centre."
"Roadworks caused heavy congestion on the motorway all morning."
"Cities charge a fee to drive in the centre to reduce congestion."
2
A blockage of mucus or fluid in the airways, such as a stuffy nose or chest.
"The cold left her with terrible chest congestion."
"He took some medicine to clear the congestion in his nose."
"Congestion made it hard for the baby to sleep through the night."
3
Swelling caused by fluid build-up in body tissue.
"The doctor noted mild congestion around the injury."
How to use congestion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething getting clogged up or overcrowded, whether that's a road, your sinuses, or blood vessels.
Common pairings
traffic congestion
nasal congestion
ease congestion
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Word forms
- Plural
- congestions
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The new bypass was built to ease traffic _____ in the town centre.
Etymology
Congestion came from late Middle English congestioun, from Old French [Term?], from Latin congestĭō ("heap, accumulation"), from congerō ("to bring together, accumulate, heap up"), formed from the root gerō ("to carry") and the prefix con-.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for congestion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for congestion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “congestion” mean?
The word “congestion” means a build-up of traffic, or the blockage this causes. In plain terms, something getting clogged up or overcrowded, whether that's a road, your sinuses, or blood vessels.
How do you pronounce “congestion”?
“Congestion” is pronounced kuhn-JEHS-chuhn (/kənˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “congestion” in a sentence?
Here is “congestion” used in a sentence: “The new bypass was built to ease traffic congestion in the town centre.”
What part of speech is “congestion”?
“Congestion” is a noun.
Is “congestion” a common word?
“Congestion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “congestion” have?
“Congestion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a build-up of traffic, or the blockage this causes.
What is the difference between "congestion" and "traffic"?
"Traffic" refers to the vehicles moving along a road, while "congestion" refers specifically to a build-up of that traffic or the blockage it causes. You can have traffic without congestion if vehicles move freely, but congestion implies vehicles are backed up or slowed.
What is nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion refers to a blockage of mucus or fluid in the airways, causing a stuffy nose. It is one of the common symptoms of colds, allergies, and sinus infections, distinct from the traffic sense of the word.
What causes congestion in the body?
Bodily congestion can result from a blockage of mucus or fluid in the airways, such as a stuffy nose or chest, or from swelling caused by fluid build-up in body tissue. Both forms involve an abnormal accumulation of fluid that causes blockage or swelling.
