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 pads are loaded with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to minimize pore blockage, brightening skin all the while. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024

Not with this blue line, not with this group of forwards, not with this goaltending, not with the clear blockage between the coaching staff’s message and the team’s response. —Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024

Heart disease may involve blockages in the arteries that carry blood to the heart and restrict blood flow. —Ashley Olivine, Ph.d., Mph, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2024

These buildups of fats, oil, and grease–or FOG–can mix with the calcium and water in sewer systems and form these giant blockages that solidify inside pipes and concrete sewers. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 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