block
noun
1. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
- the pyramids were built with large stone blocks
Definition categories: man–made, artefact, artifact
2. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
- he lives in the next block
Definition categories: location, area, country
3. a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
Similar word(s): cube
Definition categories: shape, solid
4. a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit
- he reserved a large block of seats
- he held a large block of the company's stock
Definition categories: group, accumulation, aggregation, assemblage, collection
5. housing in a large building that is divided into separate units
- there is a block of classrooms in the west wing
Definition categories: man–made, housing, lodging
6. (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted
- since blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms `block' and `sector' are sometimes used interchangeably
Definition categories: quantity
7. an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension
- I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block
Definition categories: thought, inability
8. a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
Similar word(s): pulley
Definition categories: man–made, machine
9. a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine
- the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked
Definition categories: man–made, cast, casting
10. an obstruction in a pipe or tube
- we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe
Similar word(s): blockage, closure, occlusion, stop, stoppage
Definition categories: man–made, impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor
11. a platform from which an auctioneer sells
- they put their paintings on the block
Definition categories: man–made, platform
12. the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
Similar word(s): blocking
Definition categories: act, obstruction
Sentences with block as a noun:
- A block of ice.
- A block of stone.
- Anne Boleyn placed her head on the block and awaited her execution.
- I'm going for a walk around the block.
- A block of flats.
- The place you are looking for is two long blocks east and one short block north.
- I'll knock your block off.
- A block of 100 tickets.
- There's a block in the pipe that means the water can't get through.
verb
1. render unsuitable for passage
- block the way
Similar word(s): bar, barricade, blockade, stop
Definition categories: contact, block, impede, jam, obstruct, obturate, occlude
2. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
- His brother blocked him at every turn
Similar word(s): blockade, embarrass, hinder, obstruct, stymie, stymy
Definition categories: social, forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent
3. stop from happening or developing
- Block his election
Similar word(s): halt, kibosh, stop
Definition categories: social, forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent
4. interfere with or prevent the reception of signals
- block the signals emitted by this station
Similar word(s): jam
Definition categories: communication, disrupt, interrupt
5. run on a block system
- block trains
Definition categories: social, operate, run
6. interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia
- block a nerve
- block a muscle
Definition categories: perception, anaesthetise, anaesthetize, anesthetise, anesthetize
7. shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight
- The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage
Similar word(s): obstruct
Definition categories: perception, conceal, hide
8. stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block
- block the book cover
Definition categories: contact, boss, emboss, stamp
9. obstruct
- Her arteries are blocked
Definition categories: contact, choke, clog, congest, foul
10. block passage through
Similar word(s): impede, jam, obstruct, obturate, occlude
Definition categories: contact, hinder, impede
11. support, secure, or raise with a block
- block a plate for printing
- block the wheels of a car
Definition categories: contact, hold, support, sustain
12. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
- block an attack
Similar word(s): deflect, parry
Definition categories: competition, fence
13. be unable to remember
- You are blocking the name of your first wife!
Similar word(s): forget
Definition categories: cognition
14. shape by using a block
- Block a hat
- block a garment
Definition categories: change, form, shape
15. shape into a block or blocks
- block the graphs so one can see the results clearly
Definition categories: change, form, shape
16. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
- Blocked funds
Similar word(s): freeze, immobilise, immobilize
Definition categories: change, withhold
Sentences with block as a verb:
- The pipe is blocked.
- You're blocking the road – I can't get through.
- 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!
- 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.