Blocks: meaning, definitions and examples

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blocks

[ blɒks ]

Noun / Verb

^{Context #1 | Noun}

building material

A solid piece of hard material, such as stone or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side.

Synonyms

bar, brick, chunk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
blocks	Use 'blocks' when referring to larger, often rectangular, units made of stone, concrete, or wood typically used in construction or to describe units of a town or city. The workers laid down the concrete blocks to form the foundation. I live three blocks away from the school.
brick	Use 'brick' when referring to smaller, rectangular-shaped masonry units typically made of clay and used especially for building walls. They used red bricks to build the garden wall. He accidentally kicked a brick on the sidewalk.
chunk	Use 'chunk' to describe a thick, solid piece of something that has been broken or cut off from a larger whole, often used in the context of food or other large solid masses. She cut a chunk of cheese for the snack. A chunk of the rock broke off and rolled down the hill.
bar	Use 'bar' when referring to a long, rigid piece of metal or wood or to describe establishments where alcoholic beverages are served. 'Bar' can also refer to a unit of pressure. The prison cells were secured with steel bars. We decided to meet at the local bar after work. The tire pressure should be around 2.5 bars.

Examples of usage

The wall was made of large concrete blocks.
She sat on a wooden block to rest.
He carried a heavy block of marble.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

obstruction

An obstacle or hindrance.

Synonyms

barrier, hindrance, obstacle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
obstacle	An 'obstacle' is something that stands in the way of progress or achievement. It can be used in both physical and metaphorical senses. The fallen tree is an obstacle on the hiking trail Fear of failure can be an obstacle to success
barrier	A 'barrier' is something that prevents or restricts movement or progress. It can be both physical and metaphorical. The language barrier made communication difficult The barrier around the construction site is for safety purposes
hindrance	A 'hindrance' is something that makes it difficult to achieve something. It often has a negative connotation. Her lack of experience is a hindrance to her career development Bad weather was a hindrance to our travel plans

Word

Description / Examples

obstacle

An 'obstacle' is something that stands in the way of progress or achievement. It can be used in both physical and metaphorical senses.

The fallen tree is an obstacle on the hiking trail
Fear of failure can be an obstacle to success

barrier

A 'barrier' is something that prevents or restricts movement or progress. It can be both physical and metaphorical.

The language barrier made communication difficult
The barrier around the construction site is for safety purposes

hindrance

A 'hindrance' is something that makes it difficult to achieve something. It often has a negative connotation.

Her lack of experience is a hindrance to her career development
Bad weather was a hindrance to our travel plans

Examples of usage

The fallen tree formed a block in the road.
Her fear of failure was a mental block to her success.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

prevent movement

To prevent someone or something from moving or progressing.

Synonyms

hinder, impede, obstruct.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
blocks	'Blocks' can refer to both physical and non-physical hindrances. It is often used when describing something that stops progress directly. The roadblocks made it impossible to reach the town. Her fear blocks her from achieving her goals.

Word

Description / Examples

blocks

'Blocks' can refer to both physical and non-physical hindrances. It is often used when describing something that stops progress directly.

The roadblocks made it impossible to reach the town.
Her fear blocks her from achieving her goals.

Examples of usage

She blocked the doorway with a chair.
The defense blocked the opponent's attack.

Translations

Translations of the word "blocks" in other languages:

🇵🇹 blocos

🇮🇳 ब्लॉक्स

🇩🇪 Blöcke

🇮🇩 blok

🇺🇦 блоки

🇵🇱 bloki

🇯🇵 ブロック

🇫🇷 blocs

🇪🇸 bloques

🇹🇷 bloklar

🇰🇷 블록

🇸🇦 كُتَل

🇨🇿 bloky

🇸🇰 bloky

🇨🇳 块

🇸🇮 bloki

🇮🇸 blokkir

🇰🇿 блоктар

🇬🇪 ბლოკები

🇦🇿 bloklar

🇲🇽 bloques

Etymology

The word 'blocks' originated from the Old French word 'bloque', which referred to a log or block of wood. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various meanings related to solid pieces of material and hindrances. Blocks play a crucial role in construction, design, and even psychological contexts, symbolizing obstacles that need to be overcome. The versatility of the word 'blocks' reflects its widespread usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,895, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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