Definition

1. Verb:
   • To close or block an entrance, exit, or area completely: To prevent access to or from a place by securing all points of entry.
   • To make something airtight or watertight: To secure an object or space so that nothing, such as air, water, or contaminants, can pass through.

Usage

• To isolate an area: Used when authorities or individuals need to quarantine or secure a location, often for safety, investigation, or security reasons.
• To secure an opening: Used when making a container, room, or building impervious to external elements.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The police decided to seal off the crime scene to preserve evidence.
  • During the gas leak, firefighters had to seal off the entire street.
  • Before the hurricane, we need to seal off the windows with plywood.
  • The lab is sealed off to prevent any contamination.

Advanced Usage

• "To seal oneself off": To isolate oneself emotionally or physically from others or from external influences.
  • After the argument, he sealed himself off in his room for the rest of the day.

Variants and Related Words

• Seal (verb): To close something securely. (e.g., )
• Blockade (noun/verb): An act of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving. (e.g., )
• Quarantine (verb): To isolate people or animals to prevent the spread of disease, which often involves sealing off an area.

Synonyms

• Close off: To block an entrance or access.
• Cordon off: To prevent access to an area by surrounding it with a barrier, especially by officials.
• Shut off: To stop the flow or access to something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Seal in: To prevent something (like flavor, moisture, or air) from escaping.
  • The plastic wrap helps to seal in the freshness of the food.
• Seal up: To close something securely, often by fastening it.
  • We need to seal up these boxes before the movers arrive.

Related Idioms

• (To be) under seal: Something that is officially closed or confidential.
  • The court documents are under seal and cannot be viewed by the public.

Verb

1. impose a blockade on
2. make tight; secure against leakage
   • seal the windows