bloc

American  

[blok] / blɒk /

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.

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bloc British  

/ blɒk /

noun

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

   the Soviet bloc

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Etymology

Origin of bloc

From French, dating back to 1900–05; 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."

Example Sentences

The reason is that, after 16 years under his governance, Hungarians still appear to be just as “European” in outlook as the rest of the bloc.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Petro earlier called the threat of a 100 percent tariff "a monstrosity" and threatened to withdraw Colombia from the Andean Community of Nations, a trade bloc which also includes Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Hungarians almost certainly would oppose such a move because they prefer being part of the bloc, and they enjoy significant economic benefits from trade and investment with their neighbors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

It completed three long-gestating free trade agreements within the past three months: with South America’s Mercosur bloc, India and Australia.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The union was meant to create a more powerful bloc, one that might grow to include Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and others.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• association
• faction