blockade

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.

“Blockade” is pronounced blo-KAYD (/blɑˈkeɪd/ in IPA).

Here is “blockade” used in a sentence: “The navy imposed a blockade on the port.”

Words with a similar meaning to “blockade” include embargo.

Depending on how it is used, “blockade” can be a noun and a verb.

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.

“Blockade” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“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.

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.

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.

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.