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block



[ ˈbläk]



block   
noun
[ˈbläk]

Definition of block

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a compact usually solid piece of substantial material especially when worked or altered to serve a particular purpose
//a block of ice blocks of cheese : such as
a : the piece of wood on which the neck of a person condemned to be beheaded is laid for execution
//put her neck on the block
b : a mold or form on which articles are shaped or displayed
//a wooden hat block
c : a hollow rectangular building unit usually of artificial material
//a wall of concrete blocks
d : a lightweight usually cubical and solid wooden or plastic building toy that is usually provided in sets
//children playing with blocks
e : the casting that contains the cylinders of an internal combustion engine
//engine block
f sports : starting block
//the first swimmer off the blocks a slow start out of the blocks
2a : obstacle
//putting a block on any future development
b sports : an obstruction of an opponent's play
especially, football : a halting or impeding of the progress or movement of an opponent by use of the body
//a block by the right tackle
c medical
(1) : interruption of normal physiological function (as of a tissue or organ)
especially : heart block
//The patient presented with a block.
(2) : local anesthesia (as by injection) produced by interruption of the flow of impulses along a nerve
d psychology : interruption or cessation especially of train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression
//a mental block an emotional block — compare writer's block
3 slang : head sense 1
//threatened to knock his block off
4 : a wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys and having a hook, eye, or strap by which it may be attached
5 : a piece of material (such as wood or linoleum) having on its surface a hand-cut design from which impressions are to be printed
//wooden blocks used for printing books
6a(1) : a usually rectangular space (as in a city) enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended for buildings
//She lived on our block.
(2) : the distance along one of the sides of such a block
//The store is two blocks down on the right. lived a block away from the school
b(1) : a large building divided into separate functional units
//an apartment block
(2) : a line of row houses
(3) : a distinctive part of a building or integrated group of buildings
//a block of classrooms
7 : a platform from which property is sold at auction
//went on the block and sold for nearly three million dollars
8a : a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit
//bought a large block of shares a half-hour block of music a block of text
b : bloc sense 2
//popular among several voting blocks
around the block
: through many experiences —used especially to say that someone is no longer young or has become knowledgeable, capable, or mature because of past experience… it seemed possible that to fall for a woman who had been around the block a few times might be to rob himself of much of the purely ornamental elements … of first love.— Michael Chabon
on the block
: for sale
//The business is now on the block.

block   
verb
blocked; blocking; blocks

Definition of block (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to make unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction
//The road was blocked by a rock slide.
b archaic : blockade … a city … besieged and blocked about …— John Milton
c : to hinder the passage, progress, or accomplishment of by or as if by interposing an obstruction
//The ambulance was blocked by traffic. senators trying to block passage of the bill
d : to shut off from view
//The building blocks our view of the ocean.
e : to interfere usually legitimately with (an opponent, an opponent's shot, etc.) in various games or sports
//practice blocking our opponents blocked the shot with her hand
f : to prevent normal functioning or action of
//block a nerve with novocaine
g : to restrict the exchange of (currency, checks, etc.)
2 : to mark or indicate the outline or chief lines of
//block out a design
3 : to shape on, with, or as if with a block (see block entry 1 sense 1b)
//block a hat
4 : to secure, support, or provide with a block (see block entry 1 sense 1)
//blocking a plate for printing block up the rear wheels
5 : to work out (the principal positions and movements) for the performers (as of a play)
also : to work out the players' positions and movements for (a scene or a play) —often used with out
//block out a scene before the actors arrive on set
6 typesetting : to make (two or more lines of writing or type) flush at the left or at both left and right
7 golf : to hit (a ball or shot) inaccurately toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing : push … you get excited, don't finish your backswing and block your next drive into the foliage.— Thomas Boswell

intransitive verb

sports : to interfere usually legitimately with an opponent : to block an opponent
//needs to practice blocking

block   
biographical
[ˈbläk]

Definition of Block (Entry 3 of 3)

Herbert Lawrence 1909–2001 Herblock \ ˈhər-​ˌbläk \ American editorial cartoonist


Other Words from block

Verb

blocker noun


Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun


Choose the Right Synonym for dainty

Verb

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of. hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.
// rain hindered the climb impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.
// tight clothing that impedes movement obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.
// the view was obstructed by billboards block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.
// a landslide blocked the road



Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//Over five preseason contests, Bender averaged 10.4 points on 60.7% shooting (7 of 13 on three-pointers) along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 15.0 minutes per game.
— Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Why has it been so hard for the Bucks to win in Salt Lake City? Ask the guys who have played there.," 8 Nov. 2019
//Smith had seven kills and five blocks and junior Ryan Rorls added six kills for the Raiders.
— Tim Schwartz, baltimoresun.com, "Reservoir volleyball sweeps Atholton to capture first region crown since 2007," 6 Nov. 2019
//The open sessions will not look like traditional congressional hearings, where Democratic and Republican lawmakers alternate asking questions in five-minute blocks and witnesses can easily steer clear of thorny issues.
— Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, "Top Ukraine Diplomat Testified Giuliani Spearheaded Pressure for Investigations," 6 Nov. 2019
//Aldridge has 1,040 career blocks and 700 career steals.
— Jeff Mcdonald, ExpressNews.com, "Spurs still searching for early-season sync," 6 Nov. 2019
//After moving into a starting role midway through his freshman campaign, May led South with 65 knockdown blocks and an 87 percent grade to be chosen first-team all-conference in 2013.
— Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "Everett, Reaves headline South Alabama players named to Sun Belt’s CFB150 honor roll," 6 Nov. 2019
//Ferrell made a great play slipping James’ block and recognizing the pass.
— Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "I still hate Detroit Lions' final call vs. Raiders. But here's why I understand it," 6 Nov. 2019
//The Michigan State commit finished the night with 11 service points, 4 aces, 2 blocks and 20 kills.
— Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, "Lake Worth Christian clears regional final hurdle behind Sarah Franklin," 5 Nov. 2019
//Nelson-Ododa added 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals and five blocks, while Kyla Irwin and Griffin notched 11 and 10 points, respectively.
— Alexa Philippou, courant.com, "Freshman Anna Makurat starts, Megan Walker shines as UConn women throttle Division II Jefferson in exhibition," 4 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
//Griffin issued a temporary restraining order at 5 p.m. on Friday blocking it.
— Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, "Defendants in Nancy Worley lawsuit ask judge to recuse," 7 Nov. 2019
//Starting in the 1950s, researchers tried to turn tumors’ glutamine dependence against them, developing drugs to block its metabolism.
— Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, "Revamped cancer drug starves tumors in mice," 7 Nov. 2019
//Understanding geo-location Geo-location technology may be used to block online content within a specified geographical area.
— Dan Jerker B Svantesson, Quartz India, "An Indian court’s recent ruling further endangers internet freedom as we know it," 5 Nov. 2019
//But the plan has never been enacted because of a series of federal court rulings blocking it.
— Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Indiana suspends Medicaid work requirements. So, what does that mean in Kentucky?," 1 Nov. 2019
//Gore-Tex had pores small enough to block a water droplet but large enough for the water molecules in vapor to pass through.
— Marc Bain, Quartzy, "The North Face’s new fabric is the latest attempt in an endless struggle to stay dry," 31 Oct. 2019
//For fishermen like O’Donoghue, however, Rockall is less important for its natural beauty than its capacity to block access to vital fishing grounds.
— Greg Noone, Smithsonian, "This Tiny, Uninhabitable Islet in the North Atlantic Has Been Attracting Fishermen and Adventurers for Decades," 30 Oct. 2019
//The ball went right at Adams who opted to block the baseball with his chest rather than drop his beers.
— Andrew Joseph, For The Win, "Bud Light is sending the beer-holding fan who blocked HR with his chest to Game 6," 29 Oct. 2019
//The Chinese government has been quite sensitive about how the protests are covered particularly at home in China where Quartz along with other publications have been blocked online for this reason.
— Celine Sui, Quartz Africa, "China wants state media to peddle its “soft power” in Africa, but tech platforms are a better bet," 29 Oct. 2019


First Known Use of block

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a



History and Etymology for block

Noun and Verb

Middle English blok, from Middle French & Middle Dutch; Middle French bloc, from Middle Dutch blok; akin to Old High German bloh block



Dictionary Entries near block

blocage

Bloch

Bloch wall

block

Block

blockade

blockade-runner



Phrases Related to block

block capitals

block in

block of flats

block out

knock someone's head/block off

new kid on the block

on the chopping block



More Synonyms and Antonyms ofblock

Synonyms & Antonyms of block

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 a number of things considered as a unit
  • bought a block of stocks

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

Phrases Synonymous with block

Near Antonyms for block

2 something that makes movement or progress difficult
  • constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

Near Antonyms for block

3 slang the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth
  • threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

4 a group of people acting together within a larger group
  • a more conservative block within the political party

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

5 an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection
  • a block of oil-producing nations

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

block

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of block (Entry 2 of 2)

1 to close up so that no empty spaces remain
  • block up the opening in the wall where a window once was

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

Near Antonyms for block

2 to prevent passage through by filling with something
  • one of the patient's arteries was so blocked with fatty deposits that blood flow had been reduced to a trickle

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block

Near Antonyms for block

Antonyms for block

3 to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course
  • a thug suddenly stepped out of a doorway and blocked his escape down the alley

Synonyms for block

Words Related to block



More Definitions forblock

block

noun

English Language Learners Definition of block

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a solid piece of material (such as rock or wood) that has flat sides and is usually square or rectangular in shape
: an area of land surrounded by four streets in a city
US : the length of one city block

block

verb

English Language Learners Definition of block (Entry 2 of 2)

: to be placed in front of (something, such as a road or path) so that people or things cannot pass through
: to place something in front of (something, such as a road) so that people or things cannot go into the area
: to stop (someone or something) from moving through or going by

block

noun
\ ˈbläk \

Kids Definition of block

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a solid piece of some material usually with one or more flat sides
//a block of ice
2 : an area of land surrounded by four streets in a city
3 : the length of one side of a city block
4 : a number of things thought of as forming a group or unit
//a block of seats
5 : a large building divided into separate houses or shops
//an apartment block
6 : an action that stops or slows down an opponent (as in football)
7 : something that prevents a person from thinking about certain things
//a mental block
8 : something that stops or makes passage or progress difficult : obstruction
9 : a case enclosing one or more pulleys

block

verb
blocked; blocking

Kids Definition of block (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to stop or make passage through or through to difficult : obstruct
//A gate blocked the entrance.
2 : to stop or make the passage of difficult An accident is blocking traffic.
//Opponents blocked the bill in Congress.
3 : to make an opponent's movement (as in football) difficult

block

noun, often attributive
\ ˈbläk \

Medical Definition of block

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : interruption of normal physiological function of a tissue or organ
//respiratory block due to carbon monoxide especially : heart block
2a : block anesthesia
b : nerve block sense 1
3 : interruption of a train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression

block

transitive verb

Medical Definition of block (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to prevent normal functioning of (a bodily element)
//block a nerve with novocaine
2 : to obstruct the effect of
//a carboxyl group blocked by esterification

intransitive verb

: to experience or exhibit psychological blocking or blockage

Other Words from block

blocker \ -​ər \ noun