bloc

[blok]

noun

1. a group of persons, businesses, etc., united for a particular purpose.

2. a group of legislators, usually of both major political parties, who vote together for some particular interest.

   the farm bloc.

3. a group of nations that share common interests and usually act in concert in international affairs.

   the Soviet bloc.

bloc

/ blɒk /

noun

1. a group of people or countries combined by a common interest or aim

   the Soviet bloc

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloc¹

From French, dating back to 1900–05; block

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloc¹

C20: from French: _block

Example Sentences

As the EU's digital rules are the subject of thorny relations with Washington, the bloc's tech chief Henna Virkkunen is also expected to meet the Americans.

Read more on Barron's

A source close to the negotiations said that Saudi Arabia and a bloc of nations called the Arab Group are blocking the fossil fuel deal.

Read more on BBC

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc’s foreign ministers would review the emerging details but stressed that any viable plan would require both Ukrainian and European backing.

Read more on Salon

The bloc also has a plan to use immobilized Russian central bank assets in Belgium to fund Ukraine, another issue that is likely to arise in any peace negotiations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“A lack of swift action exposes the EU as a whole to a clear risk,” said a spokesperson for the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• association 
• faction