blockaded; blockading
blockader
noun
1
: the isolation by a warring nation of an enemy area (such as a harbor) by troops or warships to prevent passage of persons or supplies
broadly
: a restrictive measure designed to obstruct the commerce and communications of an unfriendly nation
2
: something that blocks
3
: interruption of normal physiological function (such as transmission of nerve impulses) of a cellular receptor, tissue, or organ
also
: inhibition of a physiologically active substance (such as a hormone)
Examples of blockade in a Sentence
Verb
They blockaded the country's ports.
the militant protestors blockaded the whole area around city hall
Noun
it was the blockade of all the enemy's major ports that finally won the war
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
There have also been disputes between the U.S., Israel and Arab nations over how to administer humanitarian aid blockaded by Israel to Palestinians in Gaza.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 May 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Even if local officials ask for support, the Guard would be called to help with traffic control, escorting people through barricades, setting up blockades and making deliveries far from where local police are interacting with crowds.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
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Verb
Small fragments of volcanic debris probably fell like rain through the opening during the first phases of the eruption, causing the four people inside the home to rush to the bedroom and blockade it with a bed to protect themselves.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
There have also been disputes between the U.S., Israel and Arab nations over how to administer humanitarian aid blockaded by Israel to Palestinians in Gaza.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 May 2025
Noun
Once in Rafah, the goal was to set up a camp and work to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, provide humanitarian aid to the strip and protest against Israel's actions in the territory.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Even if local officials ask for support, the Guard would be called to help with traffic control, escorting people through barricades, setting up blockades and making deliveries far from where local police are interacting with crowds.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for blockade
Cite this Entry
“Blockade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blockade. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
blockade
1 of 2 noun
block·ade
blä-ˈkād 
1
a
: interruption of normal physiological function (as transmission of nerve impulses) of a cellular receptor, tissue, or organ
b
: inhibition of a physiologically active substance (as a hormone)
2
: the process of reducing the phagocytic capabilities of the mononuclear phagocyte system by loading it with harmless material (as India ink or lampblack) which engages its cells in phagocytosis and prevents them from reacting to new antigenic material compare blocking antibody
blockade
2 of 2 transitive verb
blockaded; blockading
: to subject to blockade
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