block grant

noun

: an unrestricted grant made by the U.S. federal government to state and local governments to be used at their discretion to pay especially for social services that were formerly paid for through specific federal programs

Examples of block grant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ranges depended on factors like the discretionary block grant and funding for transitional kindergarten. Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 One proposal causing concern among some NIH supporters would give at least some of the NIH budget directly to states through block grants, bypassing the agency's intensive peer-review system. Rob Stein, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024 What To Know In addition to these work requirements, Republicans are looking to transition Medicaid to a block grant system, which would provide federal funds for specific programs and shift financial responsibility to the states. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 Related, federal grants should be delivered as block grants so state officials have the final say in exactly how a grant is used. Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for block grant 

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of block grant was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near block grant

Cite this Entry

“Block grant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block%20grant. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Legal Definition

block grant

noun
: an unrestricted federal grant

More from Merriam-Webster on block grant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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