BLOCK | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

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

a large solid piece of hard material, especially rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side

large piece of hard material

• a block of marble

a large single building subdivided into separate rooms, flats, or offices

building subdivided into flats or offices

• a block of flats

a large quantity or allocation of things regarded as a unit

quantity or allocation of things

• a block of shares
• final examinations will be taken in a block at the end of the course

an obstacle to the normal progress or functioning of something

obstacle

• substantial demands for time off may constitute a block to career advancement
• an emotional block

a flat area of something, especially a solid area of colour

flat area of colour etc.

• cover the eyelid with a neutral block of colour

a pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case

pulley or system of pulleys

• a simple pulley block

make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible

stop movement or flow in

• the narrow roads were blocked by cars
• block up the holes with sticky tape

impress text or a design on (a book cover).

impress design on book cover

shape or reshape (a hat) on a mould

shape hat on mould

• nobody cleans and blocks old felt hats any more

design or plan the movements of actors on a stage or movie set.

design or plan movements of actors on stage or movie set