unblock

American  

[uhn-blok] / ʌnˈblɒk /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove a block or obstruction from.

   to unblock a channel; to unblock a person's credit.

2. Bridge. to play (a suit) so that the last card of the suit in one hand can provide access to the hand of the partnership having the longer holding in the suit.

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unblock British  

/ ʌnˈblɒk /

verb

1. to remove a blockage from (a pipe, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of unblock

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ² + block

Explanation

If you unblock something, you free it or clear it of anything that's in its way. A plumber's frequent task is to unblock pipes so water can move through them. You can unblock your stuffed-up nose by blowing into a tissue, or unblock the driveway by moving your bike into the garage. Cardiologists, or heart doctors, often need to operate on patients in order to unblock their clogged arteries, so blood can flow freely. Unblock comes from adding the "reversal" prefix un- to the verb block, "obstruct or hinder passage."

Example Sentences

It would require U.S.-protected convoys to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

That may be what’s behind ExpressVPN’s impressive ability to unblock streaming sites.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

Separately, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to visit China in late January as he looks to unblock sales of the company’s H200 chips, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing a person familiar with the matter.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

These including using the pages to sell fake products or place scam adverts, harvesting personal information, spreading malware, tricking people into sending money, or blackmailing the company in question to unblock the account.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2025

Mr. Clifford implored the man, almost with tears, to unblock the wall and allow them to go down to the Makalanga.

From Benita, an African romance by Haggard, Henry Rider

Related Words

• ameliorate
• disentangle
• unclog