Library / English Dictionary

BLOCK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements

Synonyms:

block; blocking

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

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

obstruction (getting in someone's way)

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

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

trap block ((American football) an illegal block)

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))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A platform from which an auctioneer sells

Example:

they put their paintings on the block

Synonyms:

auction block; block

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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

platform (a raised horizontal surface)

Sense 3

Meaning:

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

Example:

the pyramids were built with large stone blocks

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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"):

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)

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

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)

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

Derivation:

blocky (resembling a block in shape)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Housing in a large building that is divided into separate units

Example:

there is a block of classrooms in the west wing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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"):

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)

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

Sense 5

Meaning:

An obstruction in a pipe or tube

Example:

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

Synonyms:

block; blockage; closure; occlusion; stop; stoppage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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 6

Meaning:

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

Example:

the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked

Synonyms:

block; cylinder block; engine block

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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 7

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

Synonyms:

block; pulley; pulley-block; pulley block

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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 8

Meaning:

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

Example:

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

Synonyms:

block; mental block

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

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 9

Meaning:

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

Example:

he held a large block of the company's stock

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

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

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

Sense 10

Meaning:

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

Example:

he lives in the next block

Synonyms:

block; city block

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

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 11

Meaning:

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

Example:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

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 12

Meaning:

A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides

Synonyms:

block; cube

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)

Example:

Freeze the assets of this hostile government

Synonyms:

block; freeze; immobilise; immobilize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

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)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Shape into a block or blocks

Example:

block the graphs so one can see the results clearly

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

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

form; shape (give shape or form to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Shape by using a block

Example:

block a garment

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

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 4

Meaning:

Be unable to remember

Example:

You are blocking the name of your first wife!

Synonyms:

blank out; block; draw a blank; forget

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

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 5

Meaning:

Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals

Example:

block the signals emitted by this station

Synonyms:

block; jam

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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 6

Meaning:

Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)

Example:

block an attack

Synonyms:

block; deflect; parry

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

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

fence (fight with fencing swords)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

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

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

blockage (the act of blocking)

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

Sense 7

Meaning:

Support, secure, or raise with a block

Example:

block the wheels of a car

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

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 8

Meaning:

Block passage through

Example:

obstruct the path

Synonyms:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

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"):

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)

tie up (restrain from moving or operating normally)

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 9

Meaning:

Render unsuitable for passage

Example:

stop the busy road

Synonyms:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

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 10

Meaning:

Obstruct

Example:

Her arteries are blocked

Synonyms:

block; choke up; lug; stuff

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

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 11

Meaning:

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

Example:

block the book cover

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

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

boss; emboss; stamp (raise in a relief)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 12

Meaning:

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

Example:

The trees obstruct my view of the mountains

Synonyms:

block; obstruct

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

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 13

Meaning:

Interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia

Example:

block a muscle

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

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 14

Meaning:

Run on a block system

Example:

block trains

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

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

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

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 15

Meaning:

Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

Example:

His brother blocked him at every turn

Synonyms:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

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 16

Meaning:

Stop from happening or developing

Example:

Halt the process

Synonyms:

block; halt; kibosh; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

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)

Credits

 Context examples: 

ABX-EGF binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and may block tumor cell growth.

(ABX-EGF, NCI Dictionary)

It blocks an enzyme involved in many functions of the cell, including the repair of DNA damage.

(ABT-888, NCI Dictionary)

ABT-869 blocks the action of several growth factors.

(ABT-869, NCI Dictionary)

An international team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Cambridge and MSD has created the first detailed genetic map of human proteins, the key building blocks of biology.

(Scientists create ‘genetic atlas’ of proteins in human blood, University of Cambridge)

Could blocking IELs reduce their risks?

(Some gut cells slow down metabolism, accelerate cardiovascular disease, National Institutes of Health)

The team found that the actions of these different immune cell types did not overlap and that blocking the activity of one did not cause the other to take over.

(Scientists watch the brain’s lining heal after a head injury, National Institutes of Health)

In some cases, the deaths are a result of carbon starvation, in which trees close their pores, essentially starving themselves by blocking the entry of carbon, which is needed for photosynthesis.

(What's killing trees during droughts?, National Science Foundation)

This damages nerve cells by blocking their ability to make the proteins needed for synaptic function and leads to the death of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

(Mechanism behind neuron death in motor neurone disease and frontotemporal dementia discovered, University of Cambridge)

Blocking orexin receptors with a drug also blocked the anxiety-like behavior.

(The Mechanism of Panic Attacks, NIH, US)

They were stored in a block of slightly over three cubic meters.

(Brazil and China scientists unearth pterosaur eggs with preserved embryos, Agência Brasil)