Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Used to describe something that is blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors: The primary meaning refers to a military or strategic action of sealing off a coastal area to prevent movement of ships and goods.
   • Characterized by or involved in a blockade: Describing forces, ships, or actions that are part of enforcing a blockade.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The blockading fleet effectively cut off all supply lines to the island.
  • International law has specific rules for blockading powers.
  • They faced severe shortages due to the blockading forces.

Advanced Usage

• "to run a blockading fleet": to attempt to pass through or evade a naval blockade.

  • Merchant ships often tried to run the blockading squadron under cover of night.

• "in a blockading position": describing the strategic placement of ships to enforce a blockade.

  • The warships were stationed in a blockading position at the mouth of the river.

Variants and Related Words

• Blockade (n/v): The act or instance of blocking a place. (e.g., / )
• Blockader (n): A person or ship that participates in a blockade.

Synonyms

• Besieging: Surrounding (a place) with armed forces to compel surrender.
• Enclosing: Surrounding or closing off on all sides.
• Sealing off: Preventing access to or from an area.

Related Phrases

• To lift a blockade: To end a blockade.

  • The government agreed to lift the blockading measures after the peace treaty.

• To impose a blockade: To establish a blockade.

  • The decision to impose a blockading action was controversial.

Adjective

1. blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors
   • the blockading ships prevented delivery of munitions