bloc

The word “bloc” means a group of countries, parties, or people united by shared political or economic goals. In plain terms, a group (usually of countries or voters) acting together toward a shared goal.

“Bloc” is pronounced blok (/blɑk/ in IPA).

Here is “bloc” used in a sentence: “The trade bloc negotiated as a single unit.”

“Bloc” is a noun.

The word “bloc” comes from French. Borrowed from French bloc ("group, block"), ultimately from a Germanic word for a log or beam — a doublet of the English word block.

“Bloc” is an uncommon word in modern English.

"Bloc" and "block" are pronounced the same but spelled differently and mean different things: a "bloc" is a group of countries, parties, or people united by shared political or economic goals, while "block" refers to a solid piece of material, a city block, or the act of obstructing something. Mixing up the spellings is a common writing mistake.

A political bloc is a coalition of countries or parties that vote or act together toward shared goals, such as a regional trading bloc or a voting bloc within a legislature. The term emphasizes unity of purpose rather than physical or geographic closeness.

"Bloc" is most often used in political and economic contexts, such as trade blocs or voting blocs, but it can describe any group of people or entities united by a shared goal, even outside formal politics. The common thread is a shared interest that binds the group together.