1
a
: a temporary combination of parties in a legislative assembly
b
: a group of legislators who act together for some common purpose irrespective of party lines
2
a
: a combination of persons, groups, or nations forming a unit with a common interest or purpose
a bloc of voters
b
: a group of nations united by treaty or agreement for mutual support or joint action
3
: a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit : block
… seeking to buy and sell a large bloc of shares …—
Stuart Washington
Stuart WashingtonPotvin's outstanding bloc of games during his rookie campaign occurred during the 1993 playoffs.—Stan Fischler
Stan FischlerExamples of bloc in a Sentence
a voting bloc in the senate
a whole bloc of students got together to complain
Recent Examples on the Web
While the spending plan backed by the mayor's rivals passed without a veto-proof majority, members of the opposition bloc behind the budget have expressed confidence that an actual veto would have convinced more alders to join them in overriding Johnson, rather than risk a shutdown.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
In opening the meeting, Malaysia’s foreign minister urged the bloc to play a more forceful role.
—Reuters, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
This is not the first such fracturing of the regional bloc.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Leaders here have been banking on a reprieve that hinges on the swift approval of a crucial European Union deal with Mercosur, the South American bloc that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloc
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Todd Feurer, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
In opening the meeting, Malaysia’s foreign minister urged the bloc to play a more forceful role.
—Reuters, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
This is not the first such fracturing of the regional bloc.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Leaders here have been banking on a reprieve that hinges on the swift approval of a crucial European Union deal with Mercosur, the South American bloc that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloc
Cite this Entry
“Bloc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloc. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bloc
noun
: a combination of persons, groups, or nations united by treaty, agreement, or common interest
a bloc of voters
Etymology
French, literally, "block"
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