noun
Uncommon
blockade
blo-KAYD
Blockade (noun) means the act of sealing off a place, especially by sea, to stop goods or people moving in or out. Example: “The navy imposed a blockade on the port.”
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."
"The blockade stopped food and fuel from reaching the island for many weeks."
"Protesters set up a blockade across the road, and no lorries could get through."
verb
1
To seal off a place in order to cut off supplies or movement.
"Enemy ships blockaded the harbour for months."
"Warships were sent to blockade the coast and stop supplies reaching the city."
"The crowd blockaded the factory gates so that no deliveries could go in."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- blockades
- Third person singular
- blockades
- Past tense
- blockaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for blockade
See all rhymes for blockade →Frequently asked questions
What does “blockade” mean?
The word “blockade” means the act of sealing off a place, especially by sea, to stop goods or people moving in or out. In plain terms, sealing off a place, usually to stop trade, supplies, or travel.
How do you pronounce “blockade”?
“Blockade” is pronounced blo-KAYD (/blɑˈkeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “blockade” in a sentence?
Here is “blockade” used in a sentence: “The navy imposed a blockade on the port.”
What is another word for “blockade”?
Words with a similar meaning to “blockade” include embargo.
What part of speech is “blockade”?
Depending on how it is used, “blockade” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blockade” come from?
The word “blockade” comes from German. Formed from block plus the suffix -ade, likely modeled on the Dutch or German word for the same idea.
Is “blockade” a common word?
“Blockade” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “blockade” have?
“Blockade” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of sealing off a place, especially by sea, to stop goods or people moving in or out.
What is the difference between a "blockade" and an "embargo"?
A blockade is the physical act of sealing off a place, especially by sea, to stop goods or people moving in or out, while an embargo is typically an official ban on trade or commerce with a country, enforced through law rather than physical obstruction. A blockade uses force or presence to block movement; an embargo uses legal or economic restriction.
What is the difference between a "blockade" and a "siege"?
A blockade focuses on cutting off supplies or movement into and out of a place, often by sea, while a siege is a broader military operation surrounding and attacking a location until it surrenders. A blockade can be one tactic used as part of a siege.
Can "blockade" be used as a verb?
Yes, "to blockade" means to seal off a place in order to cut off supplies or movement, as in "the navy blockaded the port." It functions as both a noun for the act itself and a verb for carrying it out.
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