block

block · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large solid piece of material with flat surfaces.

  2. 2.

    A section of a city bounded by streets.

  3. 3.

    An obstacle that prevents progress.

  4. 4.

    A section or group treated as a unit.

  5. 5.

    A pulley or system of pulleys in a frame.

  6. 6.

    Obstruct; prevent movement or progress.

  7. 7.

    Prevent from happening or being done.

Forms

plural: blocks

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    block out — Exclude; prevent from entering.
  • •
    mental block — Inability to think or remember.
  • •
    writer's block — Inability to write creatively.
  • •
    around the block — Through the neighborhood; experienced.
  • •
    stumbling block — An obstacle or hindrance.
  • •
    on the block — For sale; available.
  • •
    chip off the old block — Similar to a parent.

Related words

Antonyms: opening, passage
See also: barrier, obstacle, obstruct
Synonyms: barrier, chunk, obstacle

Etymology

From Old French bloc ("block of wood"), from Middle Dutch blok ("tree trunk").