blocking

American  

[blok-ing] / ˈblɒk ɪŋ /

noun

Carpentry.

1. a number of small pieces of wood for filling interstices, or for spacing, joining, or reinforcing members.

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blocking British  

/ ˈblɒkɪŋ /

noun

1. electronics the interruption of anode current in a valve because of the application of a high negative voltage to the grid

2. internal congestion in a communication system that prevents the transmission of information

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Other Word Forms

• nonblocking adjective

Etymology

Origin of blocking

First recorded in 1575–85; block + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Iran has been blocking foreign tankers from the channel, only allowing select ships to pass through, including some from Malaysia and India.

From The Wall Street Journal

With his other hand, Ben pushes aside leafy branches blocking our gravel path, and we step into a grassy clearing.

From Literature

I think about blocking his number, but part of me wants to see that he’s trying, even if it’s to blame me for everything he did.

From Literature

Around him, the trails of fire were converging, moments from blocking his path to the stairs.

From Literature

After a week getting steroids and pain medicine at Providence St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, he received the biopsy results: an extremely aggressive malignant mass was blocking blood flow to Duong’s optic nerve.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• battle
• defiance
• fight
• intransigence
• protection
• refusal
• struggle
• support