Dictionary entry details
• BLOCK (noun)
Meaning:
A solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Context example:
the pyramids were built with large stone blocks
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
artefact; artifact (a man-made object taken as a whole)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
nut (a small (usually square or hexagonal) metal block with internal screw thread to be fitted onto a bolt)
inking pad; inkpad; pad; stamp pad (a block of absorbent material saturated with ink; used to transfer ink evenly to a rubber stamp)
slab (block consisting of a thick piece of something)
starting block (block providing bracing for a runner's feet at start of a race)
step (a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed)
swage block (an iron block cut with holes and grooves to assist in cold working metal)
type (a small metal block bearing a raised character on one end; produces a printed character when inked and pressed on paper)
nog (a wooden block built into a masonry wall so that joinery structure can be nailed to it)
block of metal; ingot; metal bar (metal that is cast in the shape of a block for convenient handling)
domino (a small rectangular block used in playing the game of dominoes; the face of each block has two equal areas that can bear 0 to 6 dots)
cube; square block (a block in the (approximate) shape of a cube)
crosshead (metal block that connects to a piston; it slides on parallel guides and moves a connecting rod back and forth)
chopping block (a steady wooden block on which food can be cut or diced or wood can be split)
chock; wedge (a block of wood used to prevent the sliding or rolling of a heavy object)
bar; cake (a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax))
briquet; briquette (a block made from charcoal or coal dust and burned as fuel)
anvil (a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering)
Meaning:
A rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Synonyms:
city block; block
Context example:
he lives in the next block
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
area; country (a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography))
Meaning:
A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
Classified under:
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes
Synonyms:
cube; block
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
solid (a three-dimensional shape)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
goldbrick (a brick-shaped block that looks like gold but is not)
Meaning:
A number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit
Classified under:
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects
Context examples:
he reserved a large block of seats / he held a large block of the company's stock
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
accumulation; aggregation; assemblage; collection (several things grouped together or considered as a whole)
Meaning:
Housing in a large building that is divided into separate units
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Context example:
there is a block of classrooms in the west wing
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
housing; living accommodations; lodging (structures collectively in which people are housed)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
hospital ward; ward (block forming a division of a hospital (or a suite of rooms) shared by patients who need a similar kind of care)
cellblock; ward (a division of a prison (usually consisting of several cells))
Meaning:
(computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Context example:
since blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms 'block' and 'sector' are sometimes used interchangeably
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
computer memory unit (a unit for measuring computer memory)
Meronyms (parts of "block"):
sector (the minimum track length that can be assigned to store information; unless otherwise specified a sector of data consists of 512 bytes)
Domain category:
computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
bad block ((computer science) a block (usually one sector) that cannot reliably hold data)
Meaning:
An inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
mental block; block
Context example:
I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
inability (lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
writer's block (an inability to write)
Meaning:
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
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
pulley; pulley-block; block
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
machine; simple machine (a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
idle pulley; idle wheel; idler pulley (a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it)
fairlead (a pulley-block used to guide a rope forming part of a ship's rigging to avoid chafing)
bollock; bullock block (a pulley-block at the head of a topmast)
Holonyms ("block" is a part of...):
block and tackle (pulley blocks with associated rope or cable)
Meaning:
A metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
cylinder block; engine block; block
Context example:
the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
cast; casting (object formed by a mold)
Meronyms (parts of "block"):
cylinder; piston chamber (a chamber within which piston moves)
Holonyms ("block" is a part of...):
ICE; internal-combustion engine (a heat engine in which combustion occurs inside the engine rather than in a separate furnace; heat expands a gas that either moves a piston or turns a gas turbine)
reciprocating engine (an internal-combustion engine in which the crankshaft is turned by pistons moving up and down in cylinders)
Meaning:
An obstruction in a pipe or tube
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
blockage; stoppage; occlusion; closure; block; stop
Context example:
we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor (any structure that makes progress difficult)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
breech closer; breechblock (a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing)
plug; stopper; stopple (blockage consisting of an object designed to fill a hole tightly)
vapor lock; vapour lock (a stoppage in a pipeline caused by gas bubbles (especially a stoppage that develops in hot weather in an internal-combustion engine when fuel in the gas line boils and forms bubbles that block the flow of gasoline to the carburetor))
Meaning:
A platform from which an auctioneer sells
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
auction block; block
Context example:
they put their paintings on the block
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
platform (a raised horizontal surface)
Meaning:
The act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
blocking; block
Hypernyms ("block" is a kind of...):
obstruction (getting in someone's way)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "block"):
interference ((American football) blocking a player's path with your body)
trap block ((American football) an illegal block)
parry ((fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword)
• BLOCK (verb)
Meaning:
Render unsuitable for passage
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
barricade; block; block up; blockade; block off; bar; stop
Context examples:
block the way / barricade the streets / stop the busy road
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
block; close up; impede; jam; obstruct; obturate; occlude (block passage through)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):
block off; close off; shut off (block off the passage through)
close (bar access to)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
stymy; blockade; stymie; obstruct; hinder; embarrass; block
Context example:
His brother blocked him at every turn
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):
bottleneck (slow down or impede by creating an obstruction)
hang (prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury)
check (block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey)
filibuster (obstruct deliberately by delaying; of legislation)
stonewall (obstruct or hinder any discussion)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Stop from happening or developing
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
kibosh; block; halt; stop
Context examples:
Block his election / Halt the process
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):
embargo (prevent commerce)
stay (stop a judicial process)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They block him from writing the letter
Meaning:
Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
block; jam
Context examples:
Jam the Voice of America / block the signals emitted by this station
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
break up; cut off; disrupt; interrupt (make a break in)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):
blanket jam (jam a broad spectrum of frequencies to affect all communications in the area except for directional antenna communications)
spot jam (jam a single frequency)
point jam (jam a narrow band of frequencies)
barrage jam (jam an entire frequency spectrum)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Run on a block system
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context example:
block trains
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
operate; run (direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Context examples:
block a nerve / block a muscle
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
anaesthetise; anaesthetize; anesthetise; anesthetize; put out; put to sleep; put under (make unconscious by means of anesthetic drugs)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Synonyms:
obstruct; block
Context examples:
The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage / The trees obstruct my view of the mountains
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
block the book cover
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
boss; emboss; stamp (raise in a relief)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Obstruct
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
choke up; lug; stuff; block
Context examples:
My nose is all stuffed / Her arteries are blocked
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
back up; choke; choke off; clog; clog up; congest; foul (become or cause to become obstructed)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Block passage through
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
occlude; obturate; obstruct; impede; close up; jam; block
Context example:
obstruct the path
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
hinder; impede (be a hindrance or obstacle to)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):
back up; choke; choke off; clog; clog up; congest; foul (become or cause to become obstructed)
bar; barricade; block; block off; block up; blockade; stop (render unsuitable for passage)
earth up; land up (block with earth, as after a landslide)
block out; screen (prevent from entering)
dam; dam up (obstruct with, or as if with, a dam)
tie up (restrain from moving or operating normally)
asphyxiate; choke; stifle; suffocate (impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of)
barricade (prevent access to by barricading)
barricade; barricado (block off with barricades)
block off; blockade (obstruct access to)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Support, secure, or raise with a block
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context examples:
block a plate for printing / block the wheels of a car
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
hold; hold up; support; sustain (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
parry; deflect; block
Context example:
block an attack
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
fence (fight with fencing swords)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Be unable to remember
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
blank out; draw a blank; forget; block
Context examples:
I'm drawing a blank / You are blocking the name of your first wife!
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "block"):
slip; slip one's mind (pass out of one's memory)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Meaning:
Shape by using a block
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context examples:
Block a hat / block a garment
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
form; shape (give shape or form to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Shape into a block or blocks
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
block the graphs so one can see the results clearly
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
form; shape (give shape or form to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
immobilise; immobilize; freeze; block
Context examples:
Blocked funds / Freeze the assets of this hostile government
Hypernyms (to "block" is one way to...):
keep back; withhold (hold back; refuse to hand over or share)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They block the money
Antonym:
unblock (make (assets) available)
