gridlock

American  

[grid-lok] / ˈgrɪdˌlɒk /

noun

1. the stoppage of free vehicular movement in an urban area because key intersections are blocked by traffic.

2. the blocking of an intersection by vehicular traffic entering the intersection but unable to pass through it.

3. any situation in which nothing can move or proceed in any direction.

   a financial gridlock due to high interest rates.

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gridlock British  

/ ˈɡrɪdˌlɒk /

noun

1. obstruction of urban traffic caused by queues of vehicles forming across junctions and causing further queues to form in the intersecting streets

2. a point in a dispute at which no agreement can be reached; deadlock

   political gridlock

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verb

1. (tr) (of traffic) to block or obstruct (an area)

Other Word Forms

• gridlocked adjective

Etymology

Origin of gridlock

An Americanism dating back to 1975–80; grid + lock ¹

Example Sentences

“By distributing traffic amongst multiple locations rather than funneling it all into the central terminal area we can reduce gridlock, improve safety, and give passengers better options on how to get to LAX,” Reich said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

The AA has warned of gridlock on Friday as 24.4 million cars are expected to hit the roads.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

In Pacific Palisades there was chaos Jan. 7 as people in the foothills tried to flee, only to hit traffic gridlock.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

In response, the European Union crafted a counterproposal more acceptable to Ukraine, and its member states are rushing to rearm as the bloc looks for ways to break its institutional gridlock.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

The Americans created gridlock at the entrance to Maracanã Stadium, as one athlete after another bent to take selfies with me holding that giant flag.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• bottleneck
• congestion
• impasse
• logjam