Travel / B1

k-uh-n-JESCH-uh-n/kənˈdʒestʃən/

Congestion is roads (or sometimes trains, A&E, or the internet) being too full: traffic congestion; congestion in the city centre; congestion charge (London). A traffic jam is a single blockage you can sit in; congestion is the wider problem. Congested is the adjective. Do not confuse it with digestion or with a blocked nose (congestion can mean that medically, but at B1 stick to traffic unless a health text forces it).

Meaning

A situation in which roads are too full of vehicles to move easily.

Examples

• “Congestion in the city centre is worse during the school run.”
• “The mayor promised to cut congestion around the school gates.”
• “London’s congestion charge is meant to keep extra cars out of the centre.”

Good to know

traffic congestion; congestion charge. Adjective: congested. One blockage: traffic jam. Health sense = blocked nose (later).

Near in meaning

traffic jam

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