English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Street

the block

What does the block mean?

The segregation unit where prisoners are held in solitary for punishment or their own protection.

"He kicked off and got shipped down the block."

Origin

From the cell block used for solitary confinement.

Frequently asked questions

What is 'the block' in prison?
'The block' is the segregation unit, where prisoners are held in solitary confinement for punishment or for their own protection.
Where does 'the block' come from?
From the cell block set aside for solitary confinement — hence 'the block'.
How do you use 'the block'?
You'd say someone 'got shipped down the block', meaning they were sent to segregation, often after trouble.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.