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.
Their biggest concern was overcrowding, arguing there were 78 days between March 7 and June 30 where at least one cell was over capacity. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Low inoculation rates mixed with undernutrition, overcrowding in urban areas and an overwhelmed health care system. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026 The organizer does caution against overcrowding the tops of cabinets to prevent a cluttered look. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 18 Sep. 2026 The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid is expanding to a second location just a few blocks from its current site due to overcrowding in its galleries, El Pais reported. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 16 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for overcrowd

See All Rhymes for overcrowd

Browse Nearby Words

overcrow
overcrowd
overcrowded
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Cite this Entry

“Overcrowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcrowd. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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
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