blockade

plural blockades

1. The physical blocking or surrounding of a place, especially a port, in order to prevent commerce and traffic in or out.

   A six-day blockade from 28 May to 2 June saw NR [National Rail] straighten the track through the station, facilitating a linespeed increase from 60mph to 85mph over a 4km stretch.

   2019 October, Philip Sherratt, “Midland Main Line upgrade presses on”, in Modern Railways, page 62

2. broadlyAny form of formal isolation or inhibition of something, especially with the force of law or arms.

   1 more example

   In the mean time, Francesca, separated from Madame de Mercœur, was hidden by a group around the Queen of Sweden. With the wall on one side, and a human blockade on the other, she was left at full leisure to meditate on a vow made at the first announcement of the lottery, namely, that whatever might fall to her lot she would offer in a neighbouring chapel to the Virgin, at whose shrine she would kneel one hour for Guido's safe return.

   1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 265

3. nauticalThe ships or other forces used to effect a naval blockade.
4. biologyInhibition of the activity (function) of chemical messengers or their receptors, such as (often) receptor antagonism.

   beta-blockade

   Synonyms: antagonism, receptor antagonism

5. board gamesThe act of preventing an opponent's pawn moving by placing a piece in front of it.
6. backgammonSynonym of prime.

   Synonyms: prime

present singular third person blockades · participle present blockading · participle past blockaded · past blockaded

1. transitiveTo create a blockade against.

   Its success has even spawned a term, “Dubaification” — the spread of the same malls and towers, restaurants, airport lounges and luxury brands that make places feel secure and, despite its proximity to Iran and the now blockaded Strait of Hormuz, out of harm’s way.

   2026 March 16, Richard Florida, “Could This Be the End of Dubai?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 16 Mar 2026

   1 more example

   On January 5 1969, residents blockaded the level crossing at Newcastleton, ahead of the final passenger train. It was only after the then-local MP David (now Lord) Steel had alighted from the St Pancras-bound Sleeper service and negotiated their dispersal (in return for the release without charge of one of the protest organisers, Reverend Brydon Maben) that the train was allowed on its way.

   2020 May 6, Graeme Pickering, “Borders Railway: time for the next step”, in Rail, page 52