blockade

About 4.30 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun The physical blocking or surrounding of a place, especially a port, in order to prevent commerce and traffic in or out.
2. noun Any form of formal isolation or inhibition of something, especially with the force of law or arms.
3. noun The ships or other forces used to effect a naval blockade.
4. noun Inhibition of the activity (function) of chemical messengers or their receptors, such as (often) receptor antagonism.

   beta-blockade

5. noun The act of preventing an opponent's pawn moving by placing a piece in front of it.
6. noun Synonym of prime.
7. verb To create a blockade against.

Similar words

seal off encirclement barricade bar block up block off obstruct block hinder embarrass

Often followed by

of and was in the is by on runners

Word family

blockaded blockader blockaders blockades blockading