Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets: A "city block" is the basic unit of urban planning, defined by the intersecting streets that border it. It is the area of land inside these streets.
   • The length of one side of such an area: Informally, "city block" can also refer to the distance along one side of this area, used as a rough measure for walking.

Usage

• As a measured area:
  • The new park will occupy an entire city block.
  • Their property covers half a city block.
• As a unit of distance:
  • The museum is just two city blocks away from here.
  • I walk about ten city blocks to work every day.

Advanced Usage

• "to walk (someone) around the block": To take a short walk, often for exercise or to clear one's head.
  • I need some air; I'm going to walk around the block.
• "a block over": Referring to a location on a parallel street, one block away.
  • The pharmacy isn't on this street; it's one block over.

Variants and Related Words

• Block (noun): A more general term. While "city block" specifies an urban context, "block" alone can be used similarly (e.g., ). It can also mean a solid piece of material or an obstruction.
• Superblock (noun): A very large city block, often created by closing off some interior streets to vehicular traffic.
• Block party (noun): A social gathering for the residents of a single block or neighborhood, often held on the street itself.

Synonyms

• Urban block: A more formal synonym.
• Square (in some contexts, though a "square" is often a specific open public space).

Related Phrases

• Up the block: Further along the same block or street.
  • The deli is up the block, next to the bank.
• Around the block: Having a lot of experience (idiomatic).
  • She's been around the block a few times and knows how to handle difficult clients.

Idioms

• The new kid on the block: A newcomer to a place, group, or field.
  • As the new kid on the block, he was eager to prove himself.
• To go on the block: To be put up for sale, especially at an auction.
  • The family's estate will go on the block next month.

Noun

1. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
   • he lives in the next block