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

Example Sentences

They are all banned in the EU for health risks, but current rules allow trace levels of them on food imports to the bloc, which France now deems too high.

From Barron's

For that, the bloc has restricted his travel across its 27 countries and frozen all of his “funds and economic resources” in the EU, effectively prohibiting him from doing business there.

From The Wall Street Journal

The central bank has an inflation target for the bloc of 2%.

From The Wall Street Journal

They have formed their own regional bloc, and have pivoted towards Russia after relations with other West African states and Western powers became strained.

From BBC

The EU can approve treaties with member states representing 65% of the bloc’s population.

From Barron's

Related Words

• association
• faction