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Synonyms

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.
bloc British  
/ blɒk /

noun

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

    the Soviet bloc
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bloc

From French, dating back to 1900–05; block

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.

Unemployment in the currency area fell to 6.1% from 6.2% in December as the bloc continued to show resilience in the face of global uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The prime minister told a news conference he would use a summit with the EU later this year to seek more cooperation with the bloc on the economy and security.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

In 2013, Caricom – a bloc of 15 Caribbean nations – issued its 10-point Plan for Reparatory Justice.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Before the US tariff deal is implemented by the bloc, it still needs to be negotiated with EU member states -- although Brussels hopes talks will go quickly.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Soon, however, he seized the reins of the affair as leader of the regents bloc pressing for dismissal of nonsigners.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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.