Block | Mean of block in English Dictionary

/ˈblɑːk/

• Noun
• a solid piece of material (such as rock or wood) that has flat sides and is usually square or rectangular in shape
1. a block of ice/cheese
2. a wall built out of concrete/cinder blocks
3. (US) kids playing with wooden blocks [=(Brit) bricks]
• an area of land surrounded by four streets in a city
1. We took a walk around the block.
2. She lived on our block.
• the length of one city block
1. The store is three blocks down on the right.

• a large building divided into separate units (such as apartments or shops)
1. an apartment block
2. a high-rise office block
• something that stops the progress or achievement of something
1. They put a block on future development of the area.
• an action or movement that stops or slows down an opponent
1. a shoulder block
2. (American football) The lineman threw a block. [=the lineman hit an opposing player to prevent him from making a tackle]
• something that stops a person from thinking about certain things
1. a mental/emotional block
• a number of similar things that form a group
1. We reserved a block of seats.
2. She bought a large block of stock/shares in the company.
• an amount or section of something
1. They played a half-hour block of music.
2. We set aside a big block of time for the project.
3. a block of text
• for sale at an auction
1. Some valuable paintings went on the block today.
• for sale
1. Their business is now on the block.
• Verb
• to be placed in front of (something, such as a road or path) so that people or things cannot pass through
1. There's an accident blocking the road.
2. The entrance was blocked by a gate.
3. Blood clots have completely/partially blocked one of his arteries.
4. My nose is all blocked [=stuffed] up.
5. Call a plumber. The sink pipe is blocked [=clogged] up.
• to place something in front of (something, such as a road) so that people or things cannot go into the area
1. The protesters blocked the road with parked vehicles.
2. Main Street has been blocked off [=barricaded] for the parade.
• to stop (someone or something) from moving through or going by
1. The ambulance was blocked by cars in the road.
2. An accident was blocking traffic.
• to stop (something) from getting through to someone or something
1. Could you move to the left, please. You're blocking my light.
2. a shield that blocks the wind
• to be in front of (something) so that it cannot be seen
1. The new building blocks [=obstructs] our view of the river.
• to not allow (something, such as progress or an action) to occur
1. Several senators are trying to block the passage of the bill.
2. His vote blocked the treaty.
3. The new law blocks the sale of liquor on Sundays.
4. They made every effort to block her reelection.
• to be in the way of (something)
1. blocking access to free health care
• to stop the movement of (an opponent, a shot, etc.)
1. We practiced blocking our opponents.
2. She blocked the shot!
3. He's getting better at blocking.
• to put something in front of (someone or something) so that person or thing cannot leave
1. My car is blocked in. = Somebody has blocked my car in. [=somebody has parked in a way that makes it impossible for me to move my car]
• to hide or cover something so that it cannot be seen, felt, or heard
1. Clouds blocked out the sun.
2. We put on music to block out the sound of the traffic.
• to force yourself not to think about (something)
1. He tried to block out [=forget] the event.
2. blocking out distractions