block
block /ˈblɑːk/
noun
-
(
)
A solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
(
block
)
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
The pyramids were built with large stone blocks
the pyramids were built with large stone blocks
-
()
A rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
(
city block
, block
)
a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
He lives in the next block
he lives in the next block
-
()
Housing in a large building that is divided into separate units
(
block
)
housing in a large building that is divided into separate units
There is a block of classrooms in the west wing
there is a block of classrooms in the west wing
-
()
A number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit
(
block
)
a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit
He reserved a large block of seats
he reserved a large block of seats
He held a large block of the company's stock
he held a large block of the company's stock
-
()
A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
(
block
, cube
)
a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
The children built a towering block castle, carefully stacking each piece on top of another.
The children built a towering block castle, carefully stacking each piece on top of another.
-
The act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
(
block
, blocking
)
the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
-
A platform from which an auctioneer sells
(
auction block
, block
)
a platform from which an auctioneer sells
They put their paintings on the block
they put their paintings on the block
-
An obstruction in a pipe or tube
(
block
, blockage
, closure
, occlusion
, stop
, stoppage
)
an obstruction in a pipe or tube
We had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe
we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe
-
A metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine
(
block
, cylinder block
, engine block
)
a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine
The engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked
the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked
-
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
(
block
, pulley block
, pulley-block
, pulley
)
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
The pulley system made it easier to lift heavy objects onto the upper floor.
The pulley system made it easier to lift heavy objects onto the upper floor.
-
An inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension
(
block
, mental block
)
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
I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block
-
(computing) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted
(
block
)
(computing) 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
since blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms block' and sector' are sometimes used interchangeably
verb
-
()
Render unsuitable for passage
(
block off
, block up
, blockade
, stop
, bar
, barricade
, block
)
render unsuitable for passage
Block the way
block the way
Barricade the streets
barricade the streets
Stop the busy road
stop the busy road
-
()
Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
(
blockade
, embarrass
, stymie
, stymy
, block
, hinder
, obstruct
)
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
His brother blocked him at every turn
His brother blocked him at every turn
-
()
Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals
(
block
, jam
)
interfere with or prevent the reception of signals
Jam the Voice of America
Jam the Voice of America
Block the signals emitted by this station
block the signals emitted by this station
-
()
Stop from happening or developing
(
kibosh
, block
, halt
, stop
)
stop from happening or developing
Block his election
Block his election
Halt the process
Halt the process
-
Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
(
block
, freeze
, immobilise
[British] , immobilize
)
prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
Blocked funds
Blocked funds
Freeze the assets of this hostile government
Freeze the assets of this hostile government
-
Shape into a block or blocks
(
block
)
shape into a block or blocks
Block the graphs so one can see the results clearly
block the graphs so one can see the results clearly
-
Shape by using a block
(
block
)
shape by using a block
Block a hat
Block a hat
Block a garment
block a garment
-
Be unable to remember
(
blank out
, block
, draw a blank
, disremember
[Informal, American] , forget
)
be unable to remember
I'm drawing a blank
I'm drawing a blank
You are blocking the name of your first wife!
You are blocking the name of your first wife!
-
Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
(
block
, deflect
, parry
)
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
Block an attack
block an attack
-
Support, secure, or raise with a block
(
block
)
support, secure, or raise with a block
Block a plate for printing
block a plate for printing
Block the wheels of a car
block the wheels of a car
-
Block passage through
(
block
, close up
, jam
, obturate
, impede
, obstruct
, occlude
)
block passage through
Obstruct the path
obstruct the path
-
Obstruct
(
block
, choke up
, lug
, stuff
)
obstruct
My nose is all stuffed
My nose is all stuffed
Her arteries are blocked
Her arteries are blocked
-
Stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block
(
block
)
stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block
Block the book cover
block the book cover
-
Shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight
(
block
, obstruct
)
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 thick curtain blocked the action on the stage
The trees obstruct my view of the mountains
The trees obstruct my view of the mountains
-
Interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia
(
block
)
interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia
Block a nerve
block a nerve
Block a muscle
block a muscle
-
Run on a block system
(
block
)
run on a block system
Block trains
block trains
in
in /ˈɪn/
adjective
-
[Informal]
Currently fashionable
(
in
[Informal] )
currently fashionable
The in thing to do
the in thing to do
Large shoulder pads are in
large shoulder pads are in
-
Directed or bound inward
(
in
)
directed or bound inward
Took the in bus
took the in bus
The in basket
the in basket
-
Holding office
(
in
)
holding office
The in party
the in party
adverb
-
()
To or toward the inside of
(
inward
, inwards
, in
)
to or toward the inside of
Come in
come in
Smash in the door
smash in the door
noun
-
()
A unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
(
in
, inch
)
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
The bookshelf is 36 inches tall
The bookshelf is 36 inches tall
preposition
-
()
Located inside or within a particular space.
(
in
)
Located inside or within a particular space.
-
()
Being part of a group or collection.
(
on
, in
)
Being part of a group or collection.
-
()
Occurring at or after a specified period or point in time.
(
in
)
Occurring at or after a specified period or point in time.
-
()
Located inside the confines or boundaries of something; not external.
(
in
, inside
, within
)
Located inside the confines or boundaries of something; not external.
-
()
Characterized by the use of, or possessing a certain quality.
(
in
)
Characterized by the use of, or possessing a certain quality.
-
()
Related to or associated with a particular subject or theme.
(
in
)
Related to or associated with a particular subject or theme.
-
()
By means of or through a particular method.
(
in
)
By means of or through a particular method.
-
()
Engaged in a specific activity or working for a certain entity.
(
in
)
Engaged in a specific activity or working for a certain entity.
noun
-
A state in midwestern United States
(
Hoosier State
, IN
, Ind.
, Indiana
)
a state in midwestern United States
-
A rare soft silvery metallic element; occurs in small quantities in sphalerite
(
atomic number 49
, In
, indium
)
a rare soft silvery metallic element; occurs in small quantities in sphalerite
