gridlock

1 of 2

noun

grid·​lock ˈgrid-ˌläk 

1

: a traffic jam in which a grid of intersecting streets is so completely congested that no vehicular movement is possible

2

: a situation resembling gridlock (as in congestion or lack of movement)

political gridlock

gridlock

2 of 2

verb

gridlocked; gridlocking; gridlocks

transitive + intransitive

: to cause to be in a state or situation in which movement or progress is stopped completely : to produce gridlock in or of

streets gridlocked by heavy traffic

a government gridlocked by partisan rancor

Neighbors of the proposed site near the intersection … told commissioners they were concerned the school would bring hundreds of additional cars to the area, further gridlocking already bumper-to-bumper traffic.

—Kyra Gurney

Almost immediately, heavy rains had gridlocked the narrow supply trail from Siboney on the coast.

—Michael Blow

also : to experience gridlock

This statement came while Congress gridlocked yet again on a campaign finance measure.

—David Corn

Synonyms

Noun

• deadlock
• halt
• impasse
• logjam
• Mexican standoff
• stalemate
• standoff
• standstill

Examples of gridlock in a Sentence

Noun

An accident caused gridlock at rush hour yesterday.

We were caught in a gridlock.

Disagreements about funding have caused legislative gridlock in Congress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If either future president presides over a divided Congress, expect epic gridlock and dysfunction in Washington. —Erin Doherty, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

In an election with historic political division, Osborn is marketing himself as a candidate with no allegiance to either party, often expressing his grievances over partisan gridlocks and ineffectiveness on Capitol Hill. —Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

Angling for position, the taxis engage in a series of polite reversals and turns that quickly gives way to gridlock. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2024

Their effort has been criticized as a road to gridlock while, in the aftermath instead, a summer of litigation and investigation of actions has played out. —Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1981, in the meaning defined above