noun
blockade
blo-KAYD
noun
1
The act of sealing off a place, especially by sea, to stop goods or people moving in or out.
"The navy imposed a blockade on the port."
verb
1
To seal off a place in order to cut off supplies or movement.
"Enemy ships blockaded the harbour for months."
How to Use Blockade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSealing off a place, usually to stop trade, supplies, or travel.
Common pairings
naval blockade
lift the blockade
impose a blockade
Word Forms
blockaded past tense, blockades plural, blockades singular
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The navy imposed a _____ on the port.
Etymology
Formed from block plus the suffix -ade, likely modeled on the Dutch or German word for the same idea.