Definition

1. Noun:

   • A military action preventing movement into or out of a place: A "blockade" is an act of war where a force seals off a location, such as a port or city, to prevent people, goods, or military supplies from entering or leaving.
   • Any barrier or obstruction that prevents access or progress: More generally, a "blockade" can refer to any physical or figurative obstacle that hinders movement or progress.

2. Verb:

   • To impose a blockade on: The action of using military or other forces to isolate an area.
   • To obstruct access to; to block the way: The action of creating a barrier or obstacle that prevents passage or progress.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The naval blockade prevented food and medicine from reaching the city.
  • Protesters formed a human blockade to stop traffic on the bridge.

• Verb:

  • The enemy fleet blockaded the harbor for six months.
  • Fallen trees blockaded the mountain road after the storm.

Advanced Usage

• "To run a blockade": To attempt to enter or leave a blockaded area secretly or by force.

  • During the war, daring captains tried to run the blockade to deliver supplies.

• "To raise/lift a blockade": To end a blockade, allowing free movement again.

  • The government agreed to lift the blockade after the peace talks.

• "Paper blockade": A declared blockade that is not effectively enforced.

  • Historians referred to it as a paper blockade, as the navy lacked the ships to patrol the coast.

Variants and Related Words

• Blockader (n): A person or ship that enforces a blockade.
• Blockading (adj/n): Describing the act of enforcing a blockade.
  • The blockading squadron remained on station.

Synonyms

• Noun: Siege, barricade, obstruction, barrier, embargo.
• Verb: Besiege, barricade, obstruct, hinder, impede.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Blockade" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The actions are typically expressed as "impose a blockade," "enforce a blockade," or "break through a blockade.")

Related Idioms

• "Lay siege to": While not an idiom with "blockade," this phrase is a close synonym for a prolonged military blockade of a fortified place.
  • The army laid siege to the castle.

Noun

1. prevents access or progress
2. a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy

Verb

1. impose a blockade on
2. obstruct access to
3. render unsuitable for passage
   • block the way
   • barricade the streets
   • stop the busy road
4. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
   • His brother blocked him at every turn