(American football) the act of obstructing someone''s path with your body; "he threw a rolling block into the line backer";
a platform from which an auctioneer sells; "they put their paintings on the block";
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides); "the pyramids were built with large stone blocks";
housing in a large building that is divided into separate units; "there is a block of classrooms in the west wing";
an obstruction in a pipe or tube; "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; "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;
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";
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";
a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings; "he lives in the next block";
(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";
a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides;
prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); "Blocked funds"; "Freeze the assets of this hostile government";
shape into a block or blocks; "block the graphs so one can see the results clearly";
shape by using a block; "Block a hat"; "block a garment";
be unable to remember; "I''m drawing a blank"; "You are blocking the name of your first wife!";
interfere with or prevent the reception of signals; "Jam the Voice of America"; "block the signals emitted by this station";
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an attack";
support, secure, or raise with a block; "block a plate for printing"; "block the wheels of a car";
block passage through; "obstruct the path";
render unsuitable for passage; "block the way"; "barricade the streets"; "stop the busy road";
obstruct; "My nose is all stuffed"; "Her arteries are blocked";
stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block; "block the book cover";
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";
interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia; "block a nerve"; "block a muscle";
run on a block system; "block trains";
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; "His brother blocked him at every turn";
stop from happening or developing; "Block his election"; "Halt the process";
