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   block

   /blɒk/

   noun

   • 1. a large solid piece of hard material, especially rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side: "a block of marble" Similar chunkhunkbrickslablumppiecebarcakecubewedgemasswadsliceinformal:wodge
   • ▪ a sturdy flat-topped piece of wood used as a work surface: "a chopping block"
   • ▪ a packaged rectangular portion of butter, ice cream, chocolate, etc.: "a family block of ice cream" Similar chunkhunkbrickslablumppiecebarcakecubewedgemasswadsliceinformal:wodge
   • ▪ a set of sheets of paper glued along one edge, used for drawing or writing on: British "a sketching block" Similar padnotebooktabletsketchbookscratch padjotter
   • ▪ a starting block: "Jackson jetted out of his blocks"
   • ▪ a piece of wood or metal engraved for printing on paper or fabric.
   • ▪ a large metal moulding containing the cylinders of an internal combustion engine.
   • ▪ a head-shaped mould for shaping hats or wigs.
   • 2. a large single building subdivided into separate rooms, flats, or offices: British "a block of flats" Similar buildingcomplexstructuredevelopment
   • ▪ a building or part of a complex used for a particular purpose: "a shower block" Similar buildingcomplexstructuredevelopment
   • ▪ a group of buildings bounded by four streets: "she went for a run round the block"
   • ▪ any urban or suburban area bounded by four streets: North American "ours was the ugliest house on the block"
   • ▪ the length of one side of a block, especially as a measure of distance: North American "he lives a few blocks away from the museum"
   • 3. a large quantity or allocation of things regarded as a unit: "a block of shares" Similar batchgroupclustersetsectionquantityseries
   • ▪ a large piece of text processed as a unit.
   • 4. an obstacle to the normal progress or functioning of something: "substantial demands for time off may constitute a block to career advancement" Similar obstacleobstructionbarbarrierimpedimenthindrancecheckhurdlestumbling blockdifficultyproblemsnagdisadvantagecomplicationdrawbackhitchhandicapdeterrentblockageobstructionstoppagestopping upclotocclusionimpedimenthindrancecongestionOpposite assistanceencouragement
   • ▪ an act of blocking someone or something: "Marshall's shot drew a fine block from the goalkeeper"
   • ▪ a chock for stopping the motion of a wheel.
   • ▪ the spot on which a batter rests the end of the bat while waiting to receive a ball.
   • 5. a flat area of something, especially a solid area of colour: "cover the eyelid with a neutral block of colour"
   • ▪ an area of land, in particular a tract offered to an individual settler by a government. historical Australian, New Zealand
   • ▪ an urban or suburban building plot. Australian
   • 6. a pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case: "a simple pulley block"

   verb

   • 1. make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible: "the narrow roads were blocked by cars" Similar clog (up)stop upchokeplugobstructgum upoccludedam upcongestjamcloseinformal:bung upgunge upOpposite unblockopen
   • ▪ put an obstacle in the way of (something proposed or attempted): "he stood up, blocking her escape" Similar hinderhamperobstructimpedeinhibitcheckarrestrestrictlimitdetercurbinterrupthaltstopbarpreventthwartbalkfrustratefoilscotchcircumventstand in the way ofinformal:fetterOpposite helpfacilitate
   • ▪ prevent access to or use of (email, a website, or a mobile phone): "some companies use these IMEI numbers to block stolen phones"
   • ▪ restrict the use or conversion of (currency or any other asset).
   • ▪ (in sport) hinder or stop the movement or action of (an opponent, a ball, etc.): "Knight did well to block Soloman's shot" Similar parrystopdefend againstfend offstave offturn asidedeflecthold offavertrepelrebuffrepulsehold/keep at bay
   • ▪ stop (a ball) with the bat defensively.
   • ▪ play in such a way that opponents are prevented from establishing (a long suit).
   • 2. impress text or a design on (a book cover).
   • 3. shape or reshape (a hat) on a mould: "nobody cleans and blocks old felt hats any more"
   • 4. design or plan the movements of actors on a stage or movie set.

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting a log or tree stump): from Old French bloc (noun), bloquer (verb), from Middle Dutch blok, of unknown ultimate origin.

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • B

     3

   • L

     1

   • O

     1

   • C

     3

   • K

     5

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