Definition

1. Noun:

   • A solid piece of a hard material, often with flat sides: A "block" is a solid, often rectangular, piece of material such as wood, stone, or concrete.
   • A large building or group of buildings: A "block" can refer to a large building divided into separate units or a group of buildings bounded by streets.
   • An obstacle or obstruction: A "block" is something that prevents movement or progress.
   • A quantity or group of things treated as a unit: A "block" can be a large amount or number of things, such as seats or shares, considered together.
   • A mental inability to remember or think: A "block" is a temporary inability to recall something, often due to stress.
   • (Computing) A unit of data: In computing, a "block" is the smallest unit of data that can be stored or transferred.

2. Verb:

   • To obstruct or prevent passage: To "block" means to put something in the way to stop movement or progress.
   • To shape or form into a block: To "block" means to give something the shape of a block or to use a block as a mold.
   • To stop something from happening or functioning: To "block" means to hinder, prevent, or interrupt an action, process, or signal.
   • To be unable to remember: To "block" can mean to be unable to recall a memory.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The child built a tower with wooden blocks. (The child used solid pieces of wood for building.)
  • She lives in an apartment block. (She lives in a large building containing many apartments.)
  • There was a block in the pipe, causing the sink to flood. (An obstruction stopped the water flow.)
  • He bought a block of tickets for the concert. (He purchased a large group of tickets together.)
  • I have a mental block when it comes to remembering names. (I experience a temporary inability to recall names.)

• Verb:

  • A fallen tree blocked the road. (A tree obstructed the path of the road.)
  • The sculptor blocked the marble before carving the details. (The sculptor shaped the marble into a rough form first.)
  • The new law could block the construction project. (The law could prevent the project from proceeding.)
  • I blocked his number on my phone. (I prevented his number from calling me.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a block against something": to have a psychological barrier preventing an action or thought.

  • She has a block against public speaking. (She has a mental obstacle that prevents her from speaking in public.)

• "to block out":

  • To plan roughly: The architect blocked out the design for the new house. (The architect made a rough plan.)
  • To exclude from awareness: He tried to block out the painful memories. (He tried to prevent the memories from entering his mind.)

• "on the block": available for sale, especially at an auction.

  • The rare painting will be put on the block next week. (The painting will be offered for sale at auction.)

Variants and Related Words

• Blockage (n): An obstruction.
  • The blockage in the artery was serious.
• Blockade (n/v): An act of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving.
  • The navy enforced a blockade of the port.
• Blocky (adj): Having a solid, angular shape.
  • The video game has a blocky, pixelated art style.

Synonyms

• Noun (obstacle): Obstruction, barrier, impediment.
• Noun (chunk): Chunk, slab, lump.
• Verb (obstruct): Obstruct, hinder, impede, barricade.
• Verb (prevent): Prevent, stop, halt.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Block off: To close or obstruct an entrance, road, etc.
  • The police blocked off the street after the accident.
• Block up: To fill or clog so that nothing can pass.
  • Leaves blocked up the gutter.
• Block in: To park a car so closely that another vehicle cannot move.
  • Someone blocked me in, so I couldn't leave the parking space.

Related Idioms

• A chip off the old block: A child who is very similar to one of their parents in character or appearance.
  • He's a great mechanic, just like his father—a real chip off the old block.
• Put your head/neck on the block: To put yourself in a position where you could be blamed or punished if something goes wrong.
  • I'm putting my neck on the block by guaranteeing this will work.

Noun

1. the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
2. a platform from which an auctioneer sells
   • they put their paintings on the block
3. an obstruction in a pipe or tube
   • we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe
4. a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine
   • the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked
5. a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
6. an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension
   • I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block
7. (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted
   • since blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms `block' and `sector' are sometimes used interchangeably
8. housing in a large building that is divided into separate units
   • there is a block of classrooms in the west wing
9. a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit
   • he reserved a large block of seats
   • he held a large block of the company's stock
10. a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
11. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
    • he lives in the next block
12. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
    • the pyramids were built with large stone blocks

Verb

1. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
   • Blocked funds
   • Freeze the assets of this hostile government
2. shape into a block or blocks
   • block the graphs so one can see the results clearly
3. shape by using a block
   • Block a hat
   • block a garment
4. be unable to remember
   • I'm drawing a blank
   • You are blocking the name of your first wife!
5. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
   • block an attack
6. support, secure, or raise with a block
   • block a plate for printing
   • block the wheels of a car
7. block passage through
   • obstruct the path
8. obstruct
   • My nose is all stuffed
   • Her arteries are blocked
9. stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block
   • block the book cover
10. shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight
    • The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage
    • The trees obstruct my view of the mountains
11. interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia
    • block a nerve
    • block a muscle
12. run on a block system
    • block trains
13. interfere with or prevent the reception of signals
    • Jam the Voice of America
    • block the signals emitted by this station
14. stop from happening or developing
    • Block his election
    • Halt the process
15. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
    • His brother blocked him at every turn
16. render unsuitable for passage
    • block the way
    • barricade the streets
    • stop the busy road