Noun
1. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides);
"the pyramids were built with large stone blocks"2. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings;
"he lives in the next block"3. a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
4. a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit;
"he reserved a large block of seats""he held a large block of the company's stock"5. housing in a large building that is divided into separate units;
"there is a block of classrooms in the west wing"6. (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted;
"since blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms `block' and `sector' are sometimes used interchangeably"7. an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension;
"I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block"8. a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
9. a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine;
"the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked"10. an obstruction in a pipe or tube;
"we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe"11. a platform from which an auctioneer sells;
"they put their paintings on the block"12. (American football) the act of obstructing someone's path with your body;
"he threw a rolling block into the line backer"Verb
1. render unsuitable for passage;
"block the way""barricade the streets""stop the busy road"2. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of;
"His brother blocked him at every turn"3. stop from happening or developing;
"Block his election""Halt the process"4. interfere with or prevent the reception of signals;
"Jam the Voice of America""block the signals emitted by this station"5. run on a block system;
"block trains"6. interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia;
"block a nerve""block a muscle"7. shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight;
"The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage""The trees obstruct my view of the mountains"8. stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block;
"block the book cover"9. obstruct;
"My nose is all stuffed""Her arteries are blocked"10. block passage through;
"obstruct the path"11. support, secure, or raise with a block;
"block a plate for printing""block the wheels of a car"12. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball);
"block an attack"13. be unable to remember;
"I'm drawing a blank""You are blocking the name of your first wife!"14. shape by using a block;
"Block a hat""block a garment"15. shape into a block or blocks;
"block the graphs so one can see the results clearly"16. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets);
"Blocked funds""Freeze the assets of this hostile government"