grid·lock
ˈgrid-ˌläk 
1
: a traffic jam in which a grid of intersecting streets is so completely congested that no vehicular movement is possible
2
: a situation resembling gridlock (as in congestion or lack of movement)
political gridlock
gridlocked; gridlocking; gridlocks
: to cause to be in a state or situation in which movement or progress is stopped completely : to produce gridlock in or of
streets gridlocked by heavy traffic
a government gridlocked by partisan rancor
Neighbors of the proposed site near the intersection … told commissioners they were concerned the school would bring hundreds of additional cars to the area, further gridlocking already bumper-to-bumper traffic.—
Kyra Gurney
Kyra GurneyAlmost immediately, heavy rains had gridlocked the narrow supply trail from Siboney on the coast.—Michael Blow
Michael Blow
also
: to experience gridlock
This statement came while Congress gridlocked yet again on a campaign finance measure. —David Corn
David Corn Examples of gridlock in a Sentence
Noun
An accident caused gridlock at rush hour yesterday.
We were caught in a gridlock.
Disagreements about funding have caused legislative gridlock in Congress.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Hunt, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
The speed and ease with which this bill is advancing stands in stark contrast to the gridlock that often greets legislation aimed at improving the daily lives of Floridians.
—Adam Abutaa, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Waymo's vehicles contributed to gridlock during storms and widespread power outages in San Francisco last month.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gridlock
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Noun
As congressional gridlock has intensified over recent decades, state governments have increasingly picked up the slack on policymaking.
—Charlie Hunt, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
The speed and ease with which this bill is advancing stands in stark contrast to the gridlock that often greets legislation aimed at improving the daily lives of Floridians.
—Adam Abutaa, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Such a shift would likely gridlock Washington, effectively ending the prospects for further fiscal stimulus before the 2028 presidential election.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Waymo's vehicles contributed to gridlock during storms and widespread power outages in San Francisco last month.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Cite this Entry
“Gridlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gridlock. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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