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
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said earlier Wednesday that the European Union is likely to be among the last deals that the U.S. completes, expressing frustration with conducting talks with a 27-nation bloc.
—Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
In May, the bloc unveiled a new sanctions package targeting individuals and entities linked to the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare efforts, including those spreading Russian disinformation on social media.
—Lidia Kurasinska, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
That would require winning over the disparate wings of the Senate GOP, including moderate Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine as well as the much larger conservative bloc.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
Like others aligned with Johnson, Burnett often likens the current moment to the Council Wars of the 1980s, when a majority bloc of white aldermen blocked Mayor Washington’s every move.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloc
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Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
In May, the bloc unveiled a new sanctions package targeting individuals and entities linked to the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare efforts, including those spreading Russian disinformation on social media.
—Lidia Kurasinska, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
That would require winning over the disparate wings of the Senate GOP, including moderate Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine as well as the much larger conservative bloc.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
Like others aligned with Johnson, Burnett often likens the current moment to the Council Wars of the 1980s, when a majority bloc of white aldermen blocked Mayor Washington’s every move.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 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 17 Jun. 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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