blockade

[blo-keyd]

noun

1. the isolating, closing off, or surrounding of a place, as a port, harbor, or city, by hostile ships or troops to prevent entrance or exit.

2. any obstruction of passage or progress.

   We had difficulty in getting through the blockade of bodyguards.

3. Pathology.,  interruption or inhibition of a normal physiological signal, as a nerve impulse or a heart muscle–contraction impulse.

verb (used with object)

blockaded, blockading 

1. to subject to a blockade.

blockade

/ blɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. military the interdiction of a nation's sea lines of communications, esp of an individual port by the use of sea power

2. something that prevents access or progress

3. med the inhibition of the effect of a hormone or a drug, a transport system, or the action of a nerve by a drug

verb

1. to impose a blockade on

2. to obstruct the way to

Other Word Forms

• blockader noun
• counterblockade noun
• nonblockaded adjective
• preblockade noun
• problockade adjective
• unblockaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blockade¹

1670–80; block (in the sense “to create obstacles”) + -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of blockade¹

C17: from _block + -ade , as in _ambuscade

Synonym Study

See siege.

Example Sentences

Italy's defence minister has condemned what he said was an overnight drone attack by unidentified perpetrators on a flotilla trying to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid.

From BBC

The IPC, the world body that assesses food emergencies, says famine caused by the Israeli blockade of Gaza is present and spreading.

From BBC

Mali's military government has sought to calm anger over a blockade by Islamist militants on major highways where lorry drivers have been facing ambushes and arson attacks.

From BBC

That is a reference to the blockade that has produced a famine as well as widespread starvation, according to the IPC, the international body that assesses food emergencies.

From BBC

Then, in early March this year, Israel began a total blockade of aid into Gaza.

From BBC

Related Words

• barricade 
• closure 
• encirclement www.thesaurus.com
• restriction 
• roadblock 
• siege 
• stoppage