blocking

American  

[blok-ing] / ˈblɒk ɪŋ /

noun

Carpentry.

1. a number of small pieces of wood for filling interstices, or for spacing, joining, or reinforcing members.

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blocking British  

/ ˈblɒkɪŋ /

noun

1. electronics the interruption of anode current in a valve because of the application of a high negative voltage to the grid

2. internal congestion in a communication system that prevents the transmission of information

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Other Word Forms

• nonblocking adjective

Etymology

Origin of blocking

First recorded in 1575–85; block + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The Security Council adopted a strong resolution against Tehran in mid-March, condemning its blocking of the strait.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

The war in Iran has trapped roughly 2,000 ships and more than 20,000 seafarers in the Persian Gulf, resulting in deaths and blocking a vital shipping lane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Suddenly the idea of blocking out the sun with space mirrors doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

After a week getting steroids and pain medicine at Providence St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, he received the biopsy results: an extremely aggressive malignant mass was blocking blood flow to Duong’s optic nerve.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Otherwise, there’d be fireballs raining down and smoke and dust blocking the sun, making the sky pitch-black.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• battle
• defiance
• fight
• intransigence
• protection
• refusal
• struggle
• support