block
20 ENTRIES FOUND:
- block (noun)
- block (verb)
- block and tackle (noun)
- block letters (noun)
- block of flats (noun)
- block party (noun)
- breeze–block (noun)
- building block (noun)
- chopping block (noun)
- cinder block (noun)
- starting block (noun)
- stumbling block (noun)
- tower block (noun)
- writer's block (noun)
- auction (noun)
- chip (noun)
- kid (noun)
- knock (verb)
- new (adjective)
- old (adjective)
plural
blocks
plural
blocks
Britannica Dictionary definition of BLOCK
1
[count]
:
a solid piece of material (such as rock or wood) that has flat sides and is usually square or rectangular in shape
—
see also building block, chopping block, starting block
-
a block of ice/cheese
-
a wall built out of concrete/cinder blocks
-
(US) kids playing with wooden blocks [=(Brit) bricks]
2
[count]
a
:
an area of land surrounded by four streets in a city
-
We took a walk around the block.
-
She lived on our block.
b
US
:
the length of one city block
-
The store is three blocks down on the right.
3
[count]
:
a large building divided into separate units (such as apartments or shops)
—
see also block of flats, cellblock, tower block
-
an apartment block
◊ This sense of block is more common in British English than in U.S. English.
-
a high-rise office block
4
[singular]
:
something that stops the progress or achievement of something
-
They put a block on future development of the area.
5
[count]
sports
:
an action or movement that stops or slows down an opponent
-
a shoulder block
-
(American football) The lineman threw a block. [=the lineman hit an opposing player to prevent him from making a tackle]
6
[singular]
:
something that stops a person from thinking about certain things
—
see also stumbling block, writer's block
-
a mental/emotional block
7
[count]
a
:
a number of similar things that form a group
-
We reserved a block of seats.
-
She bought a large block of stock/shares in the company.
b
:
an amount or section of something
-
They played a half-hour block of music.
-
We set aside a big block of time for the project.
-
a block of text
2
block
/ˈblɑːk/
verb
blocks;
blocked;
blocking
2
block
/ˈblɑːk/
verb
blocks;
blocked;
blocking
Britannica Dictionary definition of BLOCK
1
[+ object]
a
:
to be placed in front of (something, such as a road or path) so that people or things cannot pass through
— sometimes + up
-
There's an accident blocking the road.
-
The entrance was blocked by a gate.
-
Blood clots have completely/partially blocked one of his arteries.
-
My nose is all blocked [=stuffed] up.
-
Call a plumber. The sink pipe is blocked [=clogged] up.
b
:
to place something in front of (something, such as a road) so that people or things cannot go into the area
— often + off
-
The protesters blocked the road with parked vehicles.
-
Main Street has been blocked off [=barricaded] for the parade.
2
[+ object]
a
:
to stop (someone or something) from moving through or going by
-
The ambulance was blocked by cars in the road.
-
An accident was blocking traffic.
b
:
to stop (something) from getting through to someone or something
-
Could you move to the left, please. You're blocking my light.
-
a shield that blocks the wind
c
:
to be in front of (something) so that it cannot be seen
-
The new building blocks [=obstructs] our view of the river.
3
[+ object]
a
:
to not allow (something, such as progress or an action) to occur
-
Several senators are trying to block the passage of the bill.
-
His vote blocked the treaty.
-
The new law blocks the sale of liquor on Sundays.
-
They made every effort to block her reelection.
b
:
to be in the way of (something)
-
blocking access to free health care
4
sports
:
to stop the movement of (an opponent, a shot, etc.)
[+ object]
-
We practiced blocking our opponents.
-
She blocked the shot!
[no object]
-
He's getting better at blocking.
block in
[phrasal verb]
block in (someone or something)
or
block (someone or something) in
:
to put something in front of (someone or something) so that person or thing cannot leave
-
My car is blocked in. = Somebody has blocked my car in. [=somebody has parked in a way that makes it impossible for me to move my car]
block out
[phrasal verb]
1
block out (something)
or
block (something) out
:
to hide or cover something so that it cannot be seen, felt, or heard
-
Clouds blocked out the sun.
-
We put on music to block out the sound of the traffic.
2
:
to force yourself not to think about (something)
:
to ignore (something)
-
He tried to block out [=forget] the event.
-
blocking out distractions
