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

The central bank is closely monitoring the appreciation of the euro, which could potentially reduce inflation across the bloc, Villeroy said in a post on LinkedIn.

From The Wall Street Journal

As France moves one step closer to banning social media for children, the European Union is seriously considering whether it's time for the bloc to follow suit.

From Barron's

But the signing also allowed Brussels to turn the page after a just-sealed pact with South American bloc Mercosur was cast into limbo by a legal challenge in the European parliament.

From Barron's

“These dependencies around technology, around security, around finance and the dollar, that’s the glue that’s now keeping together the Western bloc,” said Neil Shearing, chief economist at Capital Economics in London.

From The Wall Street Journal

The EU-India pact - the seventh trade deal India has completed recently - comes after Brussels signed a trade accord with South American trade bloc Mercosur earlier this month after 25 years of negotiation.

From BBC

Related Words

• association
• faction