block
Looking for the meaning of block? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A substantial, often approximately cuboid, piece of any substance.
“a block of ice”
A chopping block; cuboid base for cutting or beheading.
“Anne Boleyn placed her head on the block and awaited her execution.”
A group of urban lots of property, several acres in extent, not crossed by public streets.
“I'm going for a walk around the block.”
A residential building consisting of flats.
“a block of flats”
The distance from one street to another in a city that is built (approximately) to a grid pattern.
“The place you are looking for is two long blocks east and one short block north.”
Interference or obstruction of cognitive processes.
The human head.
“I'll knock your block off!”
A wig block: a simplified head model upon which wigs are worn.
A mould on which hats, bonnets, etc., are shaped.
A set of sheets (of paper) joined together at one end.
“a block of 100 tickets”
A logical data storage unit containing one or more physical sectors (see cluster).
A region of code in a program that acts as a single unit, such as a function or loop.
A fixed-length group of bits making up part of a message.
A case with one or more sheaves/pulleys, used with ropes to increase or redirect force, for example, as part of the rigging of a sailing ship.
A portion of a macromolecule, comprising many units, that has at least one feature not present in adjacent portions.
Something that prevents something from passing.
“There's a block in the pipe that means the water can't get through.”
An action to interfere with the movement of an opposing player or of the object of play (ball, puck).
A shot played by holding the bat vertically in the path of the ball, so that it loses momentum and drops to the ground.
A defensive play by one or more players meant to deflect a spiked ball back to the hitter’s court.
A joined group of four (or in some cases nine) postage stamps, forming a roughly square shape.
A section of split logs used as fuel.
Solitary confinement.
A cellblock.
The perch on which a bird of prey is kept.
A piece of hard wood on which a stereotype or electrotype plate is mounted.
A blockhead; a stupid fellow; a dolt.
A section of a railroad where the block system is used.
The position of a player or bat when guarding the wicket.
A blockhole.
The popping crease.
A discrete group of vines in a vineyard, often distinguished from others by variety, clone, canopy training method, irrigation infrastructure, or some combination thereof.
To fill (something) so that it is not possible to pass.
“The pipe is blocked.”
To prevent (something or someone) from passing.
“You're blocking the road – I can't get through!”
To prevent (something from happening or someone from doing something).
“His plan to take over the business was blocked by the boss.”
To impede an opponent.
“He blocked the basketball player's shot.”
To specify the positions and movements of the actors.
“It was very difficult to block this scene convincingly.”
To hit with a block.
To play a block shot.
To disable communication via telephone, instant messaging, etc., with an undesirable someone.
“I tried to send you a message, but you've blocked me!”
To wait.
“When the condition expression is false, the thread blocks on the condition variable.”
To stretch or mould (a knitted item, a hat, etc.) into the desired shape.
“I blocked the mittens by wetting them and pinning them to a shaped piece of cardboard.”
To shape or sketch out roughly.
Understanding "block"
The word **"block"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **N/A**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"block"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "block" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "block" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "block" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as a standard English phoneme pattern. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "block" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "block" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "block" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "block". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (N/A), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "block" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use block in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "block" can be used in academic and casual conversations.