engorge

1 of 2

verb

en·​gorge in-ˈgȯrj How to pronounce engorge (audio)
en-
engorged; engorging; engorges

transitive verb

: gorge entry 1, glut
especially : to fill with blood to the point of congestion

intransitive verb

: to suck blood to the limit of body capacity
engorgement
in-ˈgȯrj-mənt How to pronounce engorge (audio)
en-
noun

engorgement

2 of 2

noun

en·​gorge·​ment "mənt How to pronounce engorgement (audio)
plural -s
1
: the act of engorging or state of being engorged
2
: overfullness of the vessels of some part of the body
engorgement of the breast
: congestion, hyperemia

Examples of engorge 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.
Verb
Fragrances of flesh and fur and spines and rot reach him from a distance to engorge his nose. — María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 The trees lose their leaves and the layer of woody tissue just under the bark became engorged with sap as the wounded trees struggled to survive. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026 Hormones build a new human being in utero, before engorging the mother’s breasts with milk to nourish the baby. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Because the mother cow was severely engorged, the calf wouldn’t have been able to nurse, prompting Ladd and the ranch hands to saddle horses, ride out into the snow, rope the cow, and milk her. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engorge

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French engorgier, from Old French, to devour, from en- + gorge throat — more at gorge

Noun

obsolete French engorgement action of devouring & French engorgement congestion, from Middle French engorgement action of devouring, from engorgier + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

1515, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of engorge was in 1515

Rhymes for engorge

See All Rhymes for engorge

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Engorge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engorge. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

engorge

verb
en·​gorge in-ˈgȯ(ə)rj How to pronounce engorge (audio)
1
: to eat greedily : gorge
2
: to fill with blood : congest
engorgement
-mənt How to pronounce engorge (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

engorge

verb
en·​gorge in-ˈgȯ(ə)rj How to pronounce engorge (audio)
engorged; engorging

transitive verb

: to fill with blood to the point of congestion
the gastric mucosa was greatly engorged

intransitive verb

: to suck blood to the limit of body capacity
unconscious of the dog tick engorging on his right ankle—John Barth
engorgement
-mənt How to pronounce engorge (audio)
noun
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