block

[[t]blɒ̱k[/t]]

♦♦

blocks, blocking, blocked

1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n A block of flats or offices is a large building containing them.

...blocks of council flats.

...a white-painted apartment block.

2) N-COUNT A block in a town is an area of land with streets on all its sides.

She walked four blocks down High Street...

He walked around the block three times.

3) N-COUNT: usu N of n A block of a substance is a large rectangular piece of it.

...a block of ice.

4) VERB To block a road, channel, or pipe means to put an object across it or in it so that nothing can pass through it or along it.

[V n] Some students today blocked a highway that cuts through the center of the city...

[V n] When the shrimp farm is built it will block the stream...

[V-ed] He can clear blocked drains.

5) VERB If something blocks your view, it prevents you from seeing something because it is between you and that thing.

[V n] ...a row of spruce trees that blocked his view of the long north slope of the mountain.

Syn:

obstruct

6) VERB If you block someone's way, you prevent them from going somewhere or entering a place by standing in front of them.

[V n] I started to move round him, but he blocked my way...

[V n] Mr Calder tried to leave the shop but the police officer blocked his path.

7) VERB If you block something that is being arranged, you prevent it from being done.

[V n] For years the country has tried to block imports of various cheap foreign products...

[V n] His persistent attempts to complain to his superiors were blocked and ignored.

Syn:

prevent

8) VERB In some sports, if a player blocks a shot or kick, they stop the ball reaching its target. If one player blocks another, the first stops the second from reaching or moving with the ball.

[V n] In the final seconds, Gunn goalie Kevin Cantwell blocked two shots.

Syn:

obstruct

9) N-COUNT: usu N of n A block of something such as tickets or shares is a large quantity of them, especially when they are all sold at the same time and are in a particular sequence or order.

Those booking a block of seats get them at reduced rates.

10) N-COUNT: usu supp N If you have a mental block or a block, you are temporarily unable to do something that you can normally do which involves using, thinking about, or remembering something.

11) → See also , building block, , starting block, , tower block

12) PHRASE: V inflects If someone lays their head on the block, or puts their head on the block, they are risking their reputation or position by taking a particular course of action.

The Chancellor, by his unusual statement, has put his head on the block.

13) a chip off the old block → see chip

Phrasal Verbs:

- block in

- block off

- block out

- block up