blockage

noun

block·​age ˈblä-kij 

: an act or instance of obstructing : the state of being blocked

a blockage in a coronary artery

Examples of blockage in a Sentence

He had surgery to open up blockages in his arteries.

trying to prevent blockage of the artery

Recent Examples on the Web

The new improvements are expected to reduce blockages and interruptions to operational efficiency. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

This leads to blockages that don't allow the fan to work properly, which then leaves behind lots of moisture in the room. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025

Creative blockages can arise when you’re invested in too many ideas. —USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024

These scenes are not just the normal carnage of war, but the product of Israeli targeting of hospitals and medical workers — and the blockage of food and medical supplies into Gaza. —Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age ˈbläk-ij 

: an act or instance of blocking : the state of being blocked

a blockage in an artery

Medical Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age ˈbläk-ij 

: the action of blocking or the state of being blocked: as

a

: blockade sense 2

b

: internal resistance to understanding a communicated idea, to learning new material, or to adopting a new mode of response because of existing habitual ways of thinking, perceiving, and acting compare blocking

Legal Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age

: the condition of a large block of items of property (as shares of stock) that requires special valuation for purposes of estate and gift tax because the value of the items sold as a block differs from their value if sold individually