block

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a compact usually solid piece of substantial material especially when worked or altered to serve a particular purpose
a block of ice
blocks of cheese
: such as
a
: the piece of wood on which the neck of a person condemned to be beheaded is laid for execution
put her neck on the block
b
: a mold or form on which articles are shaped or displayed
a wooden hat block
c
: a hollow rectangular building unit usually of artificial material
a wall of concrete blocks
d
: a lightweight usually cubical and solid wooden or plastic building toy that is usually provided in sets
children playing with blocks
e
: the casting that contains the cylinders of an internal combustion engine
engine block
f
sports : starting block
the first swimmer off the blocks
a slow start out of the blocks
2
a
: obstacle
putting a block on any future development
b
sports : an obstruction of an opponent's play
especially, football : a halting or impeding of the progress or movement of an opponent by use of the body
a block by the right tackle
c medical
(1)
: interruption of normal physiological function (as of a tissue or organ)
especially : heart block
The patient presented with a block.
(2)
: local anesthesia (as by injection) produced by interruption of the flow of impulses along a nerve
d
psychology : interruption or cessation especially of train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression
a mental block
an emotional block
compare writer's block
3
slang : head sense 1
threatened to knock his block off
4
: a wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys and having a hook, eye, or strap by which it may be attached
5
: a piece of material (such as wood or linoleum) having on its surface a hand-cut design from which impressions are to be printed
wooden blocks used for printing books
6
a(1)
: a usually rectangular space (as in a city) enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended for buildings
She lived on our block.
(2)
: the distance along one of the sides of such a block
The store is two blocks down on the right.
lived a block away from the school
b(1)
: a large building divided into separate functional units
an apartment block
(2)
: a line of row houses
(3)
: a distinctive part of a building or integrated group of buildings
a block of classrooms
7
: a platform from which property is sold at auction
went on the block and sold for nearly three million dollars
8
a
: a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit
bought a large block of shares
a half-hour block of music
a block of text
b
: bloc sense 2
popular among several voting blocks

block

2 of 2

verb

blocked; blocking; blocks

transitive verb

1
a
: to make (something) unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction : obstruct
A rock slide blocked the road.
The entrance was blocked by a gate.
A piece of food was blocking her airway.
Main Street has been blocked off for the parade.
My nose is all blocked up.
Call a plumber. The sink is blocked up.
b
: to stop or hinder (someone or something) from moving through or going by
The ambulance was blocked by traffic.
c
: to prevent (something, such as a process or action) from occurring
Senators tried to block passage of the bill.
The new law blocks liquor sales on Sundays.
block access to free healthcare
d
: to stop (something) from reaching someone or something
a hedge that blocks the wind
He was blocking my light.
e
: to shut off from view
The building blocks our view of the ocean.
f
: to prevent normal functioning or action of
block a nerve with novocaine
g
: to restrict the exchange of (currency, checks, etc.)
block a check from clearing
h
: to interfere usually legitimately with (an opponent, an opponent's shot or move, etc.) in various games or sports
We practiced blocking our opponents.
She blocked the shot with her hand.
i
: to use an automated means to prevent access or connection by (a user, device, etc.) or to (a website, social media page, phone number, etc.)
They blocked the app on their kids' phones.
The judge heard how the threats went on for several years after the friend blocked her on Facebook after they fell out.Graeme Hetherington
Russian regulators said Friday that internet users will be blocked from accessing Instagram … in Moscow's latest move to tighten up access to foreign social platforms.The Detroit News
j
archaic : blockade
First, when a city shall be as it were besieged and blocked about …John Milton
2
: to mark or indicate the outline or chief lines of
block out a design
blocked in the highlights and shadows
3
: to shape on, with, or as if with a block (see block entry 1 sense 1b)
block a hat
4
: to secure, support, or provide with a block (see block entry 1 sense 1)
blocking a plate for printing
block up the rear wheels
5
: to work out (the principal positions and movements) for the performers (as of a play)
also : to work out the players' positions and movements for (a scene or a play)
Blocking a scene is simply "working out the details of an actor's moves in relation to the camera." Peter D. Marshall
We then blocked out the play, found costumes, acquired make-up and made props and backgrounds. Joshua Schiefelbein
6
typesetting : to make (two or more lines of writing or type) flush at the left or at both left and right
7
golf : to hit (a ball or shot) inaccurately toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing : push
… you get excited, don't finish your backswing and block your next drive into the foliage.Thomas Boswell

intransitive verb

sports : to interfere usually legitimately with an opponent : to block an opponent
needs to practice blocking
blocker noun
Phrases
around the block
: through many experiences
used especially to say that someone is no longer young or has become knowledgeable, capable, or mature because of past experience
… it seemed possible that to fall for a woman who had been around the block a few times might be to rob himself of much of the purely ornamental elements … of first love.Michael Chabon
on the block
: for sale
The business is now on the block.
Choose the Right Synonym for block

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of.

hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

Examples of block in a Sentence

Noun a wall built out of concrete blocks We took a walk around the block. She lived on our block. The store is three blocks down on the right. Verb There's an accident blocking the road. The entrance was blocked by a gate. Blood clots have completely blocked one of his arteries. The protesters blocked the road with parked vehicles. The ambulance was blocked by cars in the road. An accident was blocking traffic. Could you move to the left, please. You're blocking my light. a shield that blocks the wind Several senators are trying to block the passage of the bill. His vote blocked the treaty.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
No homes or structures were impacted except for the radio tower, police said, but a fire that erupted from the crash spanned two to three blocks. T. Michelle Murphy, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024 The excellent ice cream comes from Fiore Fine Foods, a few blocks west; the booze comes from Jacquin’s, the oldest producer of cordial liqueur in the country, a few blocks east; and the inspiration comes from a 1960s-era archival airport menu the owners came across while doing opening research. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
Washington always awaits Baghdad’s approval before transferring arms to the Peshmerga, and Baghdad has often blocked equipment such as drones. Paul Iddon, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Its only options are to block laws upholding women’s reproductive rights, lie about them, or keep voters from knowing the truth about them. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for block 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'block.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English blok, from Middle French & Middle Dutch; Middle French bloc, from Middle Dutch blok; akin to Old High German bloh block

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of block was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near block

Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

block

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a solid piece of material (as stone or wood) usually with one or more flat sides
building blocks
b
: a hollow rectangular piece of material (as of glass or concrete) used for building
cinder block
2
a
: a piece of wood on which condemned persons are beheaded
b
: a mold or support on which something is shaped or displayed
c
: the molded part that contains the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine
3
a
b
: the act of slowing down or stopping an opponent's play in sports
c
: interruption of normal function of bodily processes
a heart block
also : interruption especially of train of thought
a mental block
4
: a wooden or metal case for one or more pulleys
5
: a number of things forming a group or unit
a block of seats
6
: a large building divided into separate units
7
a
: a usually rectangular space enclosed by streets
b
: the length of the side of such a block
three blocks south
8
: a stand for something to be sold at auction
9
: a hand-carved piece of material from which copies are to be printed

block

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to stop up or close off : obstruct
b
: to slow down or stop the progress of
especially : to interfere with an opponent (as in football)
c
: to shut off from view
block the sun
d
: to prevent normal functioning or action of
block a nerve with an anesthetic
2
: to mark the main lines of
block out a sketch
3
: to shape on, with, or as if with a block
4
: to make (lines of writing or type) even at the left or at both left and right
5
: to secure, support, or provide with a block
blocker noun

Medical Definition

block

1 of 2 noun
often attributive
1
: interruption of normal physiological function of a tissue or organ
respiratory block due to carbon monoxide
especially : heart block
2
3
: interruption of a train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression

block

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to prevent normal functioning of (a bodily element)
block a nerve with novocaine
2
: to obstruct the effect of
a carboxyl group blocked by esterification

intransitive verb

: to experience or exhibit psychological blocking or blockage
blocker noun

Biographical Definition

Block

biographical name

Herbert Lawrence 1909–2001 Herblock ˈhər-ˌbläk How to pronounce Block (audio) American editorial cartoonist

More from Merriam-Webster on block

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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