block Meaning & Definition
What Does Block Mean?
Block is a noun that means a compact usually solid piece of substantial material especially when worked or altered to serve a particular purpose. It is also used to mean the piece of wood on which the neck of a person condemned to be beheaded is laid for execution. As a verb, it means to make (something) unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction. As a biographical name, it means Herbert Lawrence 1909–2001 American editorial cartoonist.
Block: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb, biographical name |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbläk/ |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | impede, bar and deflect |
| Antonyms | free, recall and release |
| Plural | blocks |
| Verb forms | blocks, blocking, blocked |
Block Definition (Noun)
- a compact usually solid piece of substantial material especially when worked or altered to serve a particular purpose : such as
a block of ice / blocks of cheese
- 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
- a mold or form on which articles are shaped or displayed
a wooden hat block
- a hollow rectangular building unit usually of artificial material
a wall of concrete blocks
- a lightweight usually cubical and solid wooden or plastic building toy that is usually provided in sets
children playing with blocks
- the casting that contains the cylinders of an internal combustion engine
engine block
- starting block
the first swimmer off the blocks / a slow start out of the blocks
- obstacle
putting a block on any future development
- an obstruction of an opponent's play
- a halting or impeding of the progress or movement of an opponent by use of the body
a block by the right tackle
- interruption of normal physiological function (as of a tissue or organ)
- heart block
The patient presented with a block.
- local anesthesia (as by injection) produced by interruption of the flow of impulses along a nerve
- interruption or cessation especially of train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression compare writer's block
a mental block / an emotional block
- head
threatened to knock his block off
- a wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys and having a hook, eye, or strap by which it may be attached
- 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
- a usually rectangular space (as in a city) enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended for buildings
She lived on our block.
- 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
- a large building divided into separate functional units
an apartment block
- a line of row houses
- a distinctive part of a building or integrated group of buildings
a block of classrooms
- a platform from which property is sold at auction
went on the block and sold for nearly three million dollars
- 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
- bloc
popular among several voting blocks
Block as a Verb
- 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.
- to stop or hinder (someone or something) from moving through or going by
The ambulance was blocked by traffic.
- 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
- to stop (something) from reaching someone or something
a hedge that blocks the wind / He was blocking my light.
- to shut off from view
The building blocks our view of the ocean.
- to prevent normal functioning or action of
block a nerve with novocaine
- to restrict the exchange of (currency, checks, etc.)
block a check from clearing
- 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.
- 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. / Russian 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.
- blockade
First, when a city shall be as it were besieged and blocked about …
- to mark or indicate the outline or chief lines of
block out a design / blocked in the highlights and shadows
- to shape on, with, or as if with a block see block:1
block a hat
- to secure, support, or provide with a block see block:1
blocking a plate for printing / block up the rear wheels
- to work out (the principal positions and movements) for the performers (as of a play)
- 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. / We then blocked out the play, found costumes, acquired make-up and made props and backgrounds.
- to make (two or more lines of writing or type) flush at the left or at both left and right
- 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.
- to interfere usually legitimately with an opponent : to block an opponent
needs to practice blocking
Block as a Biographical Name
- Herbert Lawrence 1909–2001 American editorial cartoonist
Synonyms of Block
Antonyms of Block
Block in a Sentence
a block of ice; a block of stone
She picked up the block and examined it.
Anne Boleyn placed her head on the block and awaited her execution.
a block of 100 tickets
a block of text; a block of colour; a block of land
a block of data; a block of seven days; a block reservation
The "Specials" block comprises the sixteen codepoints from U+FFF0 through U+FFFF.
I’m going for a walk around the block.
The place you are looking for is two long blocks east and one short block north.
a block of flats; a tower block; an office block; a toilet block; a shower block
There’s a block in the pipe that means the water can’t get through.
a mental block
writer’s block
The Wiktionary page-blanking vandal was hit with an indefinite block.
I’ve put a block on calls from that number.
I’ll knock your block off!
The pipe was blocked by leaves.
You’re blocking the road – I can’t get through!
A broken-down car is blocking the traffic.
His plan to take over the business was blocked by the boss.
He blocked the basketball player’s shot.
The offensive linemen tried to block the blitz.
It was very difficult to block this scene convincingly.
I tried to send you a message, but you’ve blocked me!
The user who started the edit war was blocked for a day to cool off.
They’ve blocked all calls to international numbers.
Most Internet services have been blocked.
When the condition expression is false, the thread blocks on the condition variable.
I blocked the mittens by wetting them and pinning them to a shaped piece of cardboard.
When drawing a scene, first block the main features, and then fill in the detail.
a block of ice
I'm going for a walk around the block.
a block of flats
I'll knock your block off!
There's a block in the pipe that means the water can't get through.
The pipe is blocked.
You're blocking the road – I can't get through!
He blocked the basketball player's shot.
I tried to send you a message, but you've blocked me!
blocks of cheese
put her neck on the block
a wooden hat block
a wall of concrete blocks
children playing with blocks
engine block
the first swimmer off the blocks
a slow start out of the blocks
putting a block on any future development
a block by the right tackle
The patient presented with a block.
an emotional block
threatened to knock his block off
wooden blocks used for printing books
She lived on our block.
The store is two blocks down on the right.
lived a block away from the school
an apartment block
a block of classrooms
went on the block and sold for nearly three million dollars
bought a large block of shares
a half-hour block of music
a block of text
popular among several voting blocks
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.
The ambulance was blocked by traffic.
Senators tried to block passage of the bill.
The new law blocks liquor sales on Sundays.
block access to free healthcare
a hedge that blocks the wind
He was blocking my light.
The building blocks our view of the ocean.
block a nerve with novocaine
block a check from clearing
We practiced blocking our opponents.
She blocked the shot with her hand.
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.
Russian 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.
First, when a city shall be as it were besieged and blocked about …
block out a design
blocked in the highlights and shadows
block a hat
blocking a plate for printing
block up the rear wheels
Blocking a scene is simply working out the details of an actor's moves in relation to the camera.
We then blocked out the play, found costumes, acquired make-up and made props and backgrounds.
… you get excited, don't finish your backswing and block your next drive into the foliage.
needs to practice blocking
bought a block of stocks
constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project
threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise
a more conservative block within the political party
a block of oil-producing nations
block up the opening in the wall where a window once was
one of the patient's arteries was so blocked with fatty deposits that blood flow had been reduced to a trickle
a thug suddenly stepped out of a doorway and blocked his escape down the alley
the square is temporarily blocked off for the street fair
a block of ice / blocks of cheese
the first swimmer off the blocks / a slow start out of the blocks
a mental block / an emotional block
The store is two blocks down on the right. / lived a block away from the school
bought a large block of shares / a half-hour block of music / a block of text
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.
Senators tried to block passage of the bill. / The new law blocks liquor sales on Sundays. / block access to free healthcare
a hedge that blocks the wind / He was blocking my light.
We practiced blocking our opponents. / She blocked the shot with her hand.
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. / Russian 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.
block out a design / blocked in the highlights and shadows
blocking a plate for printing / block up the rear wheels
Blocking a scene is simply working out the details of an actor's moves in relation to the camera. / We then blocked out the play, found costumes, acquired make-up and made props and backgrounds.
Word Forms & Grammar
been around the block
block
blocks
blocked
block·ing
block·er noun
block in
block off
block out
block up
blocked in
blocked off
blocked out
blocked up
blocker
blockers
blocking
blocking in
blocking off
blocking out
blocking up
blocks in
blocks off
blocks out
blocks up
Block
Herbert Lawrence Block
Herblock
on the block
block (off)
block (plural blocks)
block (third-person singular simple present blocks, present participle blocking, simple past and past participle blocked)
Words That Rhyme With Block
Origin of Block
Origin 1: Middle English blok, from Middle French & Middle Dutch; Middle French bloc, from Middle Dutch blok; akin to Old High German bloh block
Origin 2: see block:1
Origin 3: From Middle English blok (“log, stump, solid piece”), from Old French bloc (“log, block”), from Middle Dutch blok (“treetrunk”), from Old Dutch *blok (“log”), from Proto-West Germanic *blokk, from Proto-Germanic *blukką (“beam, log”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵ- (“thick plank, beam, pile, prop”). Cognate with Old Frisian blok, Old Saxon blok, Old High German bloh, bloc (“block”), Old English bolca (“gangway of a ship, plank”), Old Norse bǫlkr (“divider, partition”). More at balk. See also bloc, bulk.
First Known Use
14th century
15th centuryt
Block Pronunciation
You say block as /ˈbläk/. It has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Block
Is block a noun or a verb?
Block is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb and a biographical name.
What is another word for block?
Words with a similar meaning to block include impede, bar and deflect. See the full list of block synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of block?
The plural of block is blocks.
What is the past tense of block?
The past tense of block is blocked. The present participle is blocking.