block in WordNet English dictionary

1. a platform from which an auctioneer sells
   "they put their paintings on the block"
   auction block  block 
   
2. the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
   blocking  block 
   
3. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
   "the pyramids were built with large stone blocks"
   block 
   
4. an obstruction in a pipe or tube
   "we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe"
   blockage  block  closure  occlusion  stop  stoppage 
   
5. 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
   pulley  pulley-block  pulley block  block 
   
6. a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine
   "the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked"
   engine block  cylinder block  block 
   
7. housing in a large building that is divided into separate units
   "there is a block of classrooms in the west wing"
   block 
   
8. 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"
   block  mental block 
   
9. 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"
   block 
   
10. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
    "he lives in the next block"
    block  city block 
    
11. (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"
    block 
    
12. a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
    block  cube 
    

1. render unsuitable for passage
   "block the way"; "barricade the streets"; "stop the busy road"
   barricade  block  blockade  stop  block off  block up  bar 
   
2. be unable to remember
   "I'm drawing a blank"; "You are blocking the name of your first wife!"
   forget  block  blank out  draw a blank 
   
3. shape into a block or blocks
   "block the graphs so one can see the results clearly"
   block 
   
4. shape by using a block
   "Block a hat"; "block a garment"
   block 
   
5. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
   "Blocked funds"; "Freeze the assets of this hostile government"
   freeze  block  immobilize  immobilise 
   
6. interfere with or prevent the reception of signals
   "Jam the Voice of America"; "block the signals emitted by this station"
   jam  block 
   
7. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
   "block an attack"
   parry  block  deflect 
   
8. obstruct
   "My nose is all stuffed"; "Her arteries are blocked"
   stuff  lug  choke up  block 
   
9. stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block
   "block the book cover"
   block 
   
10. support, secure, or raise with a block
    "block a plate for printing"; "block the wheels of a car"
    block 
    
11. block passage through
    "obstruct the path"
    obstruct  obturate  impede  occlude  jam  block  close up 
    
12. 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"
    obstruct  block 
    
13. interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia
    "block a nerve"; "block a muscle"
    block 
    
14. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
    "His brother blocked him at every turn"
    obstruct  blockade  block  hinder  stymie  stymy  embarrass 
    
15. stop from happening or developing
    "Block his election"; "Halt the process"
    stop  halt  block  kibosh 
    
16. run on a block system
    "block trains"
    block