Language Research

block · noun C

/blɑk/Full view

Word family

Nouns: block

Verbs: block

block (DISTANCE)

A2 the distance along a street from where one road crosses it to the place where the next road crosses it

Dictionary example:

The museum is just six blocks away.

Learner example:

So you have to go along 3 blocks and turn on your lef[t] and just in front of you is the Cathedral and next to the Cathedral is the Zocalo. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

block (AREA)

A2 the land and buildings on a part of street between two other streets that cross it, or an area of land and buildings inside a rectangle formed by four streets

Dictionary examples:

My friend and I live on the same block.

You can enter the campus from either street - the school buildings occupy the entire block.

We took a walk around the block.

Learner example:

We took a walk around the block and we had lunch together. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Greek)

block (PIECE)

B2 a solid piece of hard material, usually in the shape of a square or rectangle

Dictionary example:

a block of ice/stone/wood

Learner example:

It is like an enormous block of stone! (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

block (STOP PROGRESS)

C2 something that makes it difficult to move or make progress

Dictionary example:

Lack of money has been the main stumbling block.

Learner example:

Very often students are asked to present a certain subject, but the main stumbling block is that they are not given the knowledge of how to do it properly. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Czech)

block · verb T

/blɑk/

Word family

Nouns: block

Verbs: block

block (PREVENT)

B2 to prevent movement through or past something

Dictionary examples:

A fallen tree is blocking the road.

Earl scored 28 points and blocked five shots.

Learner example:

It took over three hours because there was a car accident and the street was blocked for two hours. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

block (CANNOT SEE)

C1 to be between someone and the thing they are looking at, so that they cannot see

Dictionary examples:

A pillar was blocking my view.

A large man in front of me blocked my view.

Learner example:

You cannot have a panoramic view [of] the mountains [any more] because buildings block it and [the] people in the nearby village think only of profit. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

block (STOP PROGRESS)

C2 to stop something from happening or making progress

Dictionary example:

The city council has blocked plans for a mall.