bloc
Americannoun
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a group of persons, businesses, etc., united for a particular purpose.
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a group of legislators, usually of both major political parties, who vote together for some particular interest.
the farm bloc.
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a group of nations that share common interests and usually act in concert in international affairs.
the Soviet bloc.
noun
Etymology
Origin of bloc
From French, dating back to 1900–05; see origin at block
Explanation
A group that unites, especially for a political or economic purpose, is a bloc. The European Union is a bloc of countries that share common economic, social, and security policies. A trade or political bloc is formed when countries (or states) unite around a common goal. The E.U., for example, sometimes operates almost as a single nation, especially when it comes to trading goods and services with other countries around the world. A voting bloc is a category of voters who tend to cast their ballots the same way; the "religious right" is one example of a voting bloc. The term comes from the French bloc, or "group."
Vocabulary lists containing bloc
Human Geography - Middle School
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Human Geography - High School
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Eastern Europe - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Carney was the governor of the Bank of England in 2016 when Britain voted to leave the European Union and led the central bank as the UK navigated the complex process of exiting the bloc.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
The levy, which the Ukrainian government and industry say has already sharply reduced steel exports to the bloc, is designed to narrow the carbon-cost gap between EU producers and foreign competitors.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Since the European Union is a net energy importer, the 27-nation bloc is extremely vulnerable to any fluctuations in energy prices.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
However, he added that the new arrivals must originally come from member states of Ecowas, west Africa's economic bloc.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
So in an attempt at compromise, Paul suggested that the African American suffragists march as a bloc at the back of the parade.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
