# constipation

/ˌkɑnstəˈpeɪʃən/ (US) · /kˌɒnstɪpˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/constipation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. medical condition

noun · CEFR B2

a condition where you cannot empty your bowels easily or often enough.

For teachers: a condition of the digestive system in which bowel movements are infrequent, difficult, or painful. Uncountable in general reference; countable when referring to specific episodes.

- Eating more fiber and drinking water can help prevent constipation.
- Chronic constipation may be a symptom of underlying dietary issues or a side effect of certain medications.

### 2. lack of progress

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a situation where something is blocked and cannot move or develop.

For teachers: a state of being crowded, obstructed, or unable to flow or progress freely. Often used in technical or formal contexts to describe systems or traffic.

- The new laws caused a kind of legal constipation in the courts.
- The bureaucratic constipation within the department meant that even the simplest requests took months to process.

## Examples

- Drinking more water can help prevent constipation.
- The doctor suggested increasing dietary fiber to relieve the patient's chronic constipation.
- While often a temporary result of dietary changes or dehydration, persistent constipation may indicate underlying gastrointestinal issues that require professional medical evaluation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.