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Definition of block verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

block

verb
 
/blɒk/
 
/blɑːk/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they block
 
/blɒk/
 
/blɑːk/
he / she / it blocks
 
/blɒks/
 
/blɑːks/
past simple blocked
 
/blɒkt/
 
/blɑːkt/
past participle blocked
 
/blɒkt/
 
/blɑːkt/
-ing form blocking
 
/ˈblɒkɪŋ/
 
/ˈblɑːkɪŋ/
Phrasal Verbs
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  1. block something to stop something from moving or flowing through a pipe, a passage, a road, etc. by putting something in it or across it
    • After today's heavy snow, many roads are still blocked.
    • a blocked sink
    • A truck had overturned and was completely blocking traffic.
    Extra Examples
    • A large delivery van was almost blocking the narrow street.
    • Fat that is poured down the sink will block the drain.
    • The exit was blocked with beer crates.
    • He found that the pipe was partially blocked with leaves.
    Topics Transport by car or lorryb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • completely
    • almost
    • partially
    verb + block
    • try to
    • move to
    preposition
    • with
    See full entry
  2. block the/somebody's way, exit, view, etc. to stop somebody from going somewhere or seeing something by standing in front of them or in their way
    • One of the guards moved to block her path.
    • An ugly new building blocked the view from the window.
    • His way was blocked by two large bouncers.
    • She had her back to the door, blocking his exit.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • completely
    • almost
    • partially
    verb + block
    • try to
    • move to
    preposition
    • with
    See full entry
  3. block something to prevent something from happening, developing or making progress
    • The proposed merger has been blocked by the government.
    • Firewalls can block unauthorized access to a computer.
    Extra Examples
    • The local mayor is seeking to block the dumping of waste in the area.
    • He accused the union leaders of trying to block the agreement.
    • A court ruling blocked the plans to develop the area.
    • The new rules would effectively block protesters' attempts to assert their rights.
    • The group has moved to block the government's proposals.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • successfully
    • effectively
    verb + block
    • attempt to
    • seek to
    • try to
    See full entry
  4. block something to stop a ball, hit, etc. from reaching somewhere by moving in front of it
    • His shot was blocked by the goalie.
    • We learned some basic punching and blocking techniques.
  5. block something to stop a mobile/cell phone from being used, for example after it has been stolen
    • Police have accused mobile networks of failing to block stolen phones.
  6. block somebody to prevent someone from contacting you on social media
    • There are many reasons to block someone online.
    • A person who has been blocked won't necessarily know that you've blocked them.
  7. Word OriginMiddle English (denoting a log or tree stump): from Old French bloc (noun), bloquer (verb), from Middle Dutch blok, of unknown ultimate origin.
See block in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee block in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
previously
adverb
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 3000
B1
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