Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of blocking: The action of obstructing or preventing passage, movement, or progress.
   • An obstruction in a pipe or tube: A physical object that blocks a passage, especially in a pipe, tube, or duct, preventing normal flow.
   • The physical condition of being blocked: The state resulting from something obstructing or filling a passage.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The blockage of the road caused a major traffic jam. (The act of blocking the road prevented traffic flow.)
  • A blockage in the artery can be very dangerous. (An obstruction in the artery impedes blood flow.)
  • The doctor diagnosed a complete blockage of the intestine. (The physical condition of the intestine was one of being fully obstructed.)

Advanced Usage

• "To cause a blockage": To be the reason something becomes obstructed.
  • Fat and grease can cause a blockage in the kitchen sink.
• "To clear a blockage": To remove an obstruction.
  • The utility crew worked to clear the blockage from the sewer line.

Variants and Related Words

• Block (verb/noun): To obstruct or the obstruction itself.
  • Verb: A fallen tree can block the path.
  • Noun: There is a block in the pipe.
• Obstruction (noun): A thing that blocks or impedes; a synonym for blockage.
  • The protest formed an obstruction to traffic.

Synonyms

• Clog: An obstruction, often in a pipe or drain.
• Jam: A situation where things are stuck and cannot move, often used for traffic.
• Stoppage: A cessation of flow or movement due to an obstruction.

Related Phrases

• Arterial blockage: A specific term for an obstruction in an artery.
  • He suffered a heart attack due to an arterial blockage.
• Mental blockage: A figurative use meaning an inability to think or remember clearly.
  • I have a mental blockage and can't remember his name. (Note: This is a figurative, compound use of the core word "blockage".)

Noun

1. the act of blocking
2. an obstruction in a pipe or tube
   • we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe
3. the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction