often attributive
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
2
a
: 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)
(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
6
a(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
8
a
: 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
blocked; blocking; blocks
1
a
: to make (something) unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction : obstruct
A rock slide blocked the road.
The entrance was blocked by a gate.
A piece of food was blocking her airway.
Main Street has been blocked off for the parade.
My nose is all blocked up.
Call a plumber. The sink is blocked up.
b
: to stop or hinder (someone or something) from moving through or going by
The ambulance was blocked by traffic.
c
: to prevent (something, such as a process or action) from occurring
Senators tried to block passage of the bill.
The new law blocks liquor sales on Sundays.
block access to free healthcare
d
: to stop (something) from reaching someone or something
a hedge that blocks the wind
He was blocking my light.
e
: to shut off from view
The building blocks our view of the ocean.
f
: to prevent normal functioning or action of
block a nerve with novocaine
g
: to restrict the exchange of (currency, checks, etc.)
block a check from clearing
h
: to interfere usually legitimately with (an opponent, an opponent's shot or move, etc.) in various games or sports
We practiced blocking our opponents.
She blocked the shot with her hand.
i
: to use an automated means to prevent access or connection by (a user, device, etc.) or to (a website, social media page, phone number, etc.)
They blocked the app on their kids' phones.
The judge heard how the threats went on for several years after the friend blocked her on Facebook after they fell out.—
Graeme Hetherington
Graeme HetheringtonRussian regulators said Friday that internet users will be blocked from accessing Instagram … in Moscow's latest move to tighten up access to foreign social platforms.—The Detroit News
The Detroit News
j
archaic
: blockade
First, when a city shall be as it were besieged and blocked about …—John Milton
John Milton2
: to mark or indicate the outline or chief lines of
block out a design
blocked in the highlights and shadows
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)
Blocking a scene is simply "working out the details of an actor's moves in relation to the camera." —Peter D. Marshall
Peter D. Marshall We then blocked out the play, found costumes, acquired make-up and made props and backgrounds. —Joshua Schiefelbein
Joshua Schiefelbein 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
Thomas Boswell
sports
: to interfere usually legitimately with an opponent : to block an opponent
needs to practice blocking
blocker
noun
Phrases
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
Michael Chabon
: for sale
The business is now on the block.
Synonyms
Examples of block in a Sentence
Noun
a wall built out of concrete blocks
We took a walk around the block.
She lived on our block.
The store is three blocks down on the right.
Verb
There's an accident blocking the road.
The entrance was blocked by a gate.
Blood clots have completely blocked one of his arteries.
The protesters blocked the road with parked vehicles.
The ambulance was blocked by cars in the road.
An accident was blocking traffic.
Could you move to the left, please. You're blocking my light.
a shield that blocks the wind
Several senators are trying to block the passage of the bill.
His vote blocked the treaty.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024
Tiger Adventure Vehicles Farther forward, the extra-long kitchen block occupies the majority of the driver-side wall, giving traveling cooks a two-place induction cooktop, microwave, 122-L AC/DC fridge/freezer, slide-out cutting board and composite countertop.
—New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Trump's longtime public praise of Putin and past impeachment linked to Ukraine prompts concern in Kyiv, as do his proposals for a quick peace settlement that may hand Moscow control of swaths of eastern Ukraine and block Kyiv from future NATO membership.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for block 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Noun
For the best melting, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024
Tiger Adventure Vehicles Farther forward, the extra-long kitchen block occupies the majority of the driver-side wall, giving traveling cooks a two-place induction cooktop, microwave, 122-L AC/DC fridge/freezer, slide-out cutting board and composite countertop.
—New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
Former President Trump’s legal challenges to the results and his attempts to block the certification of the vote became a saga that culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Trump's longtime public praise of Putin and past impeachment linked to Ukraine prompts concern in Kyiv, as do his proposals for a quick peace settlement that may hand Moscow control of swaths of eastern Ukraine and block Kyiv from future NATO membership.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for block
Dictionary Entries Near block
Cite this Entry
“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
block
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a solid piece of material (as stone or wood) usually with one or more flat sides
building blocks
b
: a hollow rectangular piece of material (as of glass or concrete) used for building
cinder block
2
a
: a piece of wood on which condemned persons are beheaded
b
: a mold or support on which something is shaped or displayed
c
: the molded part that contains the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine
3
a
: obstacle
b
: the act of slowing down or stopping an opponent's play in sports
c
: interruption of normal function of bodily processes
a heart block
also
: interruption especially of train of thought
a mental block
4
: a wooden or metal case for one or more pulleys
5
: a number of things forming a group or unit
a block of seats
6
: a large building divided into separate units
7
a
: a usually rectangular space enclosed by streets
b
: the length of the side of such a block
three blocks south
8
: a stand for something to be sold at auction
9
: a hand-carved piece of material from which copies are to be printed
block
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to stop up or close off : obstruct
b
: to slow down or stop the progress of
especially
: to interfere with an opponent (as in football)
c
: to shut off from view
block the sun
d
: to prevent normal functioning or action of
block a nerve with an anesthetic
2
: to mark the main lines of
block out a sketch
3
: to shape on, with, or as if with a block
4
: to make (lines of writing or type) even at the left or at both left and right
5
: to secure, support, or provide with a block
blocker
noun
Medical Definition
block
1 of 2 nounoften attributive
1
: interruption of normal physiological function of a tissue or organ
respiratory block due to carbon monoxide
especially
: heart block
2
a
3
: interruption of a train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression
block
2 of 2 transitive verb1
: 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
Biographical Definition
Block
biographical name
Herbert Lawrence 1909–2001
Herblock
ˈhər-ˌbläk 
American editorial cartoonist
American editorial cartoonist
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