overcrowd

verb

over·​crowd ˌō-vər-ˈkrau̇d How to pronounce overcrowd (audio)
overcrowded; overcrowding; overcrowds

transitive verb

: to cause to be too crowded

intransitive verb

: to crowd together too much

Examples of overcrowd in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the oil temperature reaches 375 to 395 degrees F, add the Brussels sprouts to the pan (don’t overcrowd the pan; fry 4 separate batches). Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 Ensure that glass items aren't touching, and don’t overcrowd. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024 Approved by voters ten years ago, Prop. 47 sought to reduce California’s severe prison overcrowding by reclassifying as misdemeanors six felony theft and drug crimes, including shoplifting and simple drug possession. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024 And reporters like Soboroff, invited by the administration to facilities overcrowded with traumatized kids, many of them in cages, were meant to be the messengers of that ugly threat to the world. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overcrowd 

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcrowd was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near overcrowd

Cite this Entry

“Overcrowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcrowd. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overcrowd

verb
over·​crowd -ˈkrau̇d How to pronounce overcrowd (audio)
1
: to cause to be too crowded
2
: to crowd together too much
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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