1
a
: a temporary combination of parties in a legislative assembly
b
: a group of legislators who act together for some common purpose irrespective of party lines
2
a
: a combination of persons, groups, or nations forming a unit with a common interest or purpose
a bloc of voters
b
: a group of nations united by treaty or agreement for mutual support or joint action
3
: a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit : block
… seeking to buy and sell a large bloc of shares …—
Stuart Washington
Stuart WashingtonPotvin's outstanding bloc of games during his rookie campaign occurred during the 1993 playoffs.—Stan Fischler
Stan FischlerSynonyms
Examples of bloc in a Sentence
a voting bloc in the senate
a whole bloc of students got together to complain
Recent Examples on the Web
Black men had been perceived as a voting bloc ripe for Donald Trump to attract after many expressed concerns a year ago about Joe Biden’s re-election efforts.
—Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
By centralizing Europe from a federalized trade bloc into a formal imperial state, policymakers would naturally encourage and foster centrifugal social forces.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
The work includes translating propositions into Navajo, educating young voters through cultural and traditional concepts, and navigating persistent obstacles that aim to suppress the Native vote, highlighting the power and influence of this voting bloc.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Jurado and Burgos, if elected, could add two more votes to that bloc.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bloc 
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Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
By centralizing Europe from a federalized trade bloc into a formal imperial state, policymakers would naturally encourage and foster centrifugal social forces.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
The work includes translating propositions into Navajo, educating young voters through cultural and traditional concepts, and navigating persistent obstacles that aim to suppress the Native vote, highlighting the power and influence of this voting bloc.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Jurado and Burgos, if elected, could add two more votes to that bloc.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bloc
Dictionary Entries Near bloc
Cite this Entry
“Bloc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloc. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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bloc
noun
: a combination of persons, groups, or nations united by treaty, agreement, or common interest
a bloc of voters
Etymology
French, literally, "block"
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