impaction

/ɪmˈpækʃən/
noun
  1. A condition in which something (such as a tooth or a piece of waste) is stuck and cannot move normally.
    • An impaction in the pipe caused the sink to drain very slowly.
    • The dentist said the impaction of my wisdom tooth would require surgery.
    • Severe constipation can lead to a fecal impaction that needs medical treatment.
  2. The act or process of forcing something tightly into a space, or the state of being tightly packed.
    • Archaeologists found evidence of impaction in the soil layers from ancient construction.
    • The impaction of snow on the road made driving hazardous.
    • The impaction of gravel under the railway tracks helps keep them stable.
Antonyms