noun
gridlock
GRIHD-lok
Gridlock (noun) means a traffic jam so severe that vehicles cannot move in any direction; also used for a complete standstill in progress or negotiations. Example: “Rush hour turned the entire downtown into gridlock.”
noun
1
A traffic jam so severe that vehicles cannot move in any direction; also used for a complete standstill in progress or negotiations.
"Rush hour turned the entire downtown into gridlock."
"Political gridlock in Congress stalled the bill for months."
verb
1
To bring to a complete standstill.
"A jackknifed truck gridlocked the highway for hours."
How to use gridlock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA total traffic jam, or by extension, any situation where nothing can move forward.
Common pairings
traffic gridlock
political gridlock
total gridlock
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- gridlocks
- Past tense
- gridlocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rush hour turned the entire downtown into _____.
Etymology
From "grid" (as in a city's street grid) plus "lock" — describing traffic locked solid across an entire grid of intersections.
Frequently asked questions
What does “gridlock” mean?
The word “gridlock” means a traffic jam so severe that vehicles cannot move in any direction; also used for a complete standstill in progress or negotiations. In plain terms, a total traffic jam, or by extension, any situation where nothing can move forward.
How do you pronounce “gridlock”?
“Gridlock” is pronounced GRIHD-lok (/ˈɡɹɪdˌlɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “gridlock” in a sentence?
Here is “gridlock” used in a sentence: “Rush hour turned the entire downtown into gridlock.”
What part of speech is “gridlock”?
Depending on how it is used, “gridlock” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “gridlock” have?
“Gridlock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traffic jam so severe that vehicles cannot move in any direction; also used for a complete standstill in progress or negotiations.
