BLOCK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does block mean? 

• BLOCK (noun)
  The noun BLOCK has 12 senses:

1. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

2. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings

3. a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides

4. a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit

5. housing in a large building that is divided into separate units

6. (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted

7. an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension

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

9. a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine

10. an obstruction in a pipe or tube

11. a platform from which an auctioneer sells

12. the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements

  Familiarity information: BLOCK used as a noun is familiar.

• BLOCK (verb)
  The verb BLOCK has 16 senses:

1. render unsuitable for passage

2. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

3. stop from happening or developing

4. interfere with or prevent the reception of signals

5. run on a block system

6. interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia

7. shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight

8. stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block

9. obstruct

10. block passage through

11. support, secure, or raise with a block

12. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)

13. be unable to remember

14. shape by using a block

15. shape into a block or blocks

16. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)

  Familiarity information: BLOCK used as a verb is very familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BLOCK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

the pyramids were built with large stone blocks

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

artefact; artifact (a man-made object taken as a whole)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

anvil (a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering)

type (a small metal block bearing a raised character on one end; produces a printed character when inked and pressed on paper)

swage block (an iron block cut with holes and grooves to assist in cold working metal)

step (a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed)

starting block (block providing bracing for a runner's feet at start of a race)

slab (block consisting of a thick piece of something)

inking pad; inkpad; pad; stamp pad (a block of absorbent material saturated with ink; used to transfer ink evenly to a rubber stamp)

nut (a small (usually square or hexagonal) metal block with internal screw thread to be fitted onto a bolt)

nog (a wooden block built into a masonry wall so that joinery structure can be nailed to it)

domino (a small rectangular block used in playing the game of dominoes; the face of each block has two equal areas that can bear 0 to 6 dots)

cube; square block (a block in the (approximate) shape of a cube)

crosshead (metal block that connects to a piston; it slides on parallel guides and moves a connecting rod back and forth)

chopping block (a steady wooden block on which food can be cut or diced or wood can be split)

chock; wedge (a block of wood used to prevent the sliding or rolling of a heavy object)

bar; cake (a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax))

briquet; briquette (a block made from charcoal or coal dust and burned as fuel)

ingot (metal that is cast in the shape of a block for convenient handling)

Derivation:

blocky (resembling a block in shape)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

block; city block

Context example:

he lives in the next block

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

area; country (a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography))

Sense 3

Meaning:

A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Synonyms:

block; cube

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

solid (a three-dimensional shape)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

goldbrick (a brick-shaped block that looks like gold but is not)

Derivation:

block (shape by using a block)

blocky (resembling a block in shape)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Context example:

he held a large block of the company's stock

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

accumulation; aggregation; assemblage; collection (several things grouped together or considered as a whole)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Housing in a large building that is divided into separate units

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

there is a block of classrooms in the west wing

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

housing; living accommodations; lodging (structures collectively in which people are housed)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

cellblock; ward (a division of a prison (usually consisting of several cells))

hospital ward; ward (block forming a division of a hospital (or a suite of rooms) shared by patients who need a similar kind of care)

Sense 6

Meaning:

(computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Context example:

since blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms 'block' and 'sector' are sometimes used interchangeably

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

computer memory unit (a unit for measuring computer memory)

Meronyms (parts of "block"):

sector (the minimum track length that can be assigned to store information; unless otherwise specified a sector of data consists of 512 bytes)

Domain category:

computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

bad block ((computer science) a block (usually one sector) that cannot reliably hold data)

Sense 7

Meaning:

An inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

block; mental block

Context example:

I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

inability (lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

writer's block (an inability to write)

Derivation:

block (be unable to remember)

Sense 8

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

block; pulley; pulley-block; pulley block

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

machine; simple machine (a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

idle pulley; idle wheel; idler pulley (a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it)

fairlead (a pulley-block used to guide a rope forming part of a ship's rigging to avoid chafing)

bollock; bullock block (a pulley-block at the head of a topmast)

Holonyms ("block" is a part of...):

block and tackle (pulley blocks with associated rope or cable)

Sense 9

Meaning:

A metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

block; cylinder block; engine block

Context example:

the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

cast; casting (object formed by a mold)

Meronyms (parts of "block"):

cylinder; piston chamber (a chamber within which piston moves)

Holonyms ("block" is a part of...):

ICE; internal-combustion engine (a heat engine in which combustion occurs inside the engine rather than in a separate furnace; heat expands a gas that either moves a piston or turns a gas turbine)

reciprocating engine (an internal-combustion engine in which the crankshaft is turned by pistons moving up and down in cylinders)

Sense 10

Meaning:

An obstruction in a pipe or tube

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

block; blockage; closure; occlusion; stop; stoppage

Context example:

we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor (any structure that makes progress difficult)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

breech closer; breechblock (a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing)

plug; stopper; stopple (blockage consisting of an object designed to fill a hole tightly)

vapor lock; vapour lock (a stoppage in a pipeline caused by gas bubbles (especially a stoppage that develops in hot weather in an internal-combustion engine when fuel in the gas line boils and forms bubbles that block the flow of gasoline to the carburetor))

Derivation:

block (obstruct)

Sense 11

Meaning:

A platform from which an auctioneer sells

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

auction block; block

Context example:

they put their paintings on the block

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

platform (a raised horizontal surface)

Sense 12

Meaning:

The act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

block; blocking

Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):

obstruction (getting in someone's way)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):

trap block ((American football) an illegal block)

interference ((American football) blocking a player's path with your body)

parry ((fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword)

Derivation:

block (impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball))

• BLOCK (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Render unsuitable for passage

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

bar; barricade; block; block off; block up; blockade; stop

Context example:

stop the busy road

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

block; close up; impede; jam; obstruct; obturate; occlude (block passage through)

Verb group:

block; obstruct (shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):

block off; close off; shut off (block off the passage through)

close (bar access to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

blockage (the act of blocking)

blocking (the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

block; blockade; embarrass; hinder; obstruct; stymie; stymy

Context example:

His brother blocked him at every turn

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):

stonewall (obstruct or hinder any discussion)

filibuster (obstruct deliberately by delaying)

check (block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey)

hang (prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury)

bottleneck (slow down or impede by creating an obstruction)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

blockage (the act of blocking)

blockage (the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Stop from happening or developing

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

block; halt; kibosh; stop

Context example:

Halt the process

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):

embargo (prevent commerce)

stay (stop a judicial process)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They block him from writing the letter

Derivation:

blockage (the act of blocking)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

block; jam

Context example:

block the signals emitted by this station

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

break up; cut off; disrupt; interrupt (make a break in)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):

barrage jam (jam an entire frequency spectrum)

point jam (jam a narrow band of frequencies)

spot jam (jam a single frequency)

blanket jam (jam a broad spectrum of frequencies to affect all communications in the area except for directional antenna communications)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Run on a block system

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

block trains

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

operate; run (direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 6

Meaning:

Interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Context example:

block a muscle

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

anaesthetise; anaesthetize; anesthetise; anesthetize; put out; put under (administer an anesthetic drug to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

blocker (a class of drugs that inhibit (block) some biological process)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

block; obstruct

Context example:

The trees obstruct my view of the mountains

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)

Verb group:

bar; barricade; block; block off; block up; blockade; stop (render unsuitable for passage)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

blockage (the act of blocking)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

block the book cover

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

boss; emboss; stamp (raise in a relief)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 9

Meaning:

Obstruct

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

block; choke up; lug; stuff

Context example:

Her arteries are blocked

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

back up; choke; choke off; clog; clog up; congest; foul (become or cause to become obstructed)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

block; blockage (an obstruction in a pipe or tube)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Block passage through

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

block; close up; impede; jam; obstruct; obturate; occlude

Context example:

obstruct the path

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

hinder; impede (be a hindrance or obstacle to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):

tie up (restrain from moving or operating normally)

back up; choke; choke off; clog; clog up; congest; foul (become or cause to become obstructed)

bar; barricade; block; block off; block up; blockade; stop (render unsuitable for passage)

earth up; land up (block with earth, as after a landslide)

block out; screen (prevent from entering)

dam; dam up (obstruct with, or as if with, a dam)

asphyxiate; choke; stifle; suffocate (impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of)

barricade (prevent access to by barricading)

barricade; barricado (block off with barricades)

block off; blockade (obstruct access to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

blocking (the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Support, secure, or raise with a block

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

block the wheels of a car

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

hold; hold up; support; sustain (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 12

Meaning:

Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

block; deflect; parry

Context example:

block an attack

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

fence (fight with fencing swords)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

blocker (a football player whose responsibility is to block players attempting to stop an offensive play)

blocking (the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements)

blockage (the act of blocking)

block (the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements)

Sense 13

Meaning:

Be unable to remember

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

blank out; block; draw a blank; forget

Context example:

You are blocking the name of your first wife!

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):

slip; slip one's mind (pass out of one's memory)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

block (an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension)

Sense 14

Meaning:

Shape by using a block

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

block a garment

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

form; shape (give shape or form to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

block (a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides)

Sense 15

Meaning:

Shape into a block or blocks

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

block the graphs so one can see the results clearly

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

form; shape (give shape or form to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 16

Meaning:

Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

block; freeze; immobilise; immobilize

Context example:

Freeze the assets of this hostile government

Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):

keep back; withhold (hold back; refuse to hand over or share)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They block the money

Antonym:

unblock (make (assets) available)

 Context examples 

A Fab fragment of the chimeric monoclonal antibody 7E3 and inhibitor of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor, that blocks platelet aggregation.

(Abciximab, NCI Thesaurus)

It blocks enzymes needed for cell division and may kill cancer cells.

(Abexinostat, NCI Dictionary)

It blocks tissues from making androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone.

(Abiraterone acetate, NCI Dictionary)

Abatacept binds CD80 and CD86 on antigen presenting cells (APCs), blocking interaction with CD28 on T lymphocytes, which initiates a co-stimulatory signal required for full activation of T lymphocytes.

(Abatacept, NCI Thesaurus)

Much of the dust seen here emits little to no visible light (in fact, the dust blocks visible light) and is therefore revealed most clearly with infrared observatories like Spitzer.

(Spitzer Studies a Stellar Playground With a Long History, NASA)

Blocking events caused deadly heat waves in France in 2003 and in Russia in 2010.

(Stalled weather patterns will get bigger due to climate change, National Science Foundation)

This includes fascicular blocks (hemiblocks), bundle branch blocks, non-specific conduction delays and ventricular pacing.

(Abnormal Intraventricular Conduction by ECG Finding, NCI Thesaurus/ACC)

It blocks some of the enzymes that keep cancer cells from dying.

(ABT-263, NCI Dictionary)

It blocks substances that cause inflammation in the lungs.

(Accolate, NCI Dictionary)

Blocking CAR activation with an antagonist protects against acetaminophen liver toxicity, suggesting a strategy to treat acetaminophen toxicity.

(Acetaminophen Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)